MIT Scientists Train a Running Four-Legged Cheetah Robot to Autonomously Sense and Jump Over Hurdles

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently made another remarkable development in their four-legged cheetah robot with the development of an algorithm that allows them to train the cheetah to autonomously sense and jump over hurdles while running, both with and without a harness.

In a leap for robotic development, the MIT researchers who built a robotic cheetah have now trained it to see and jump over hurdles as it runs — making this the first four-legged robot to run and jump over obstacles autonomously.

In September 2014, the cheetah made enormous strides in its development, when it was able to run untethered across a field.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.