April 6, 2006

RunBot Has Uncanny Ability to Replicate Human Movement

Despite my enthusiasm for technology, I just watched a video clip (MPEG) of "RunBot," which I found eerie. For its size (30 centimeters), RunBot is the fastest walking computer ever created.

This robot, according to a New Scientist story, "is controlled by a simple program that mimics the way neurons control reflexes in humans and other animals." It's this partial replication of life-like movement that struck me as I was watching the video.

You can watch an additional RunBot video on the We Make Money Not Art blog where I first came across this story.

How good can computers actually get at replicating human movement? Will they dance one day with grace and dexterity? Is this threatening to dancers?

Here are three screen shots from the RunBot video clip:

RunBot initiates step

RunBot has large gait

RunBot falls flat on its face!

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