Move over, cheetahs – there's a new speed champion in town. Researchers at Zhejiang University have unveiled \"Black Panther,\" a quadrupedal robot that clocked a blistering 10 meters per second sprint, redefining what's possible in bio-inspired robotics.
The breakthrough comes after two years of algorithm optimization and mechanical refinements, with the team drawing insights from animal locomotion studies. At 10 m/s (36 km/h), Black Panther surpasses MIT's renowned Cheetah robot (2012) and demonstrates unprecedented stability on varied terrain through advanced sensor fusion technology.
\"This isn't just about speed records,\" explains lead engineer Dr. Li Wei. \"We're creating platforms for disaster response, precision agriculture, and last-mile delivery in dense urban areas. Our next goal is sustainable energy integration for 24/7 operation.\"
Industry analysts note the achievement signals China's growing robotics capabilities, with the quadruped market projected to reach $3.6 billion globally by 2028. Unlike heavyweight industrial robots, these nimble machines could soon navigate construction sites and emergency zones with the agility of a mountain goat.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
