IHMC robot sets speed record

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A new land-speed record for legged robots was achieved last week by researchers at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). The HexRunner robot reached an estimated 30-33 mph on an open course without any support tethers. It was filmed by the Discovery Channel, which is expected to broadcast it later this summer. HexRunner is a running robot with six spring-loaded legs revolving around a central hub, with three legs on each side of the hub. At the tip of the top leg it stands six feet high. HexRunner was developed as part of IHMC's DARPA-sponsored FastRunner project. (Source: IHMC, 05/29/14)