They call it a "robot dog," but researchers at China's University of Harbin took their inspiration from felines with an exploration robot that they hope will one day leap across asteroids. And, presumably, always land on its feet.
The robot's programming relies on an artificial intelligence (AI) model called reinforcement learning, which allows it to gather information about its environment and adapt its movement patterns in real time. According to Live Science, the lightning-fast modification is essential in lower-gravity environments that are too tricky for conventional four-legged robots to safely maneuver.
And the researchers really do plan to build a robot that always lands on its feet, even while hurtling through space on an asteroid with very little gravity. When the robot jumps, it will remain suspended in the air for several seconds and coordinate all four of its legs to remain upright and facilitate a safe landing.
While humanity has been sending probes to asteroids since 2001, no space agency has (thus far) successfully mapped the surface of an asteroid with a robot. But that might change one day — and, at least indirectly, we can thank cats for the idea.