Die!: Walking Robot Breaks Distance Record

Seen here about to maul Dora the Explorer, Cornell University's Ranger robot recently beat the record for longest distance traveled on a single battery charge, walking 14.3 miles in 11 hours. That's 1.3MPH -- we're as good as dead. Run Forrest!

Guided by students with a remote control, Ranger navigated 108.5 times around the Barton Hall indoor track, about 212 meters per lap, and made about 70,000 steps before it had to stop and recharge. The 14.3-mile record beats the former world record set by Boston Dynamics' BigDog, which had claimed the record at 12.8 miles.

One goal for robotic research is to show off the machine's energy efficiency. Unlike other walking robots that use motors to control every movement, the Ranger appears more relaxed and in a way emulates human walking, using gravity and momentum to help swing its legs forward.

God, can I go a single day without BigDog haunting my life? Which reminds me -- did I ever tell you about the time I went to the petting zoo but wouldn't go near the little horses cause they looked like BigDogs in disguise? Because if I did I lied. I've been banned from there for years. I LOVED THAT DUCK.

Walking Robot Breaks Distance Record [technewsdaily]

Thanks to Greenman, mascot for the best frozen vegetables around. No -- that's not you? Oh.

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