Jumping Robot Coming to US Miltary

Boston Dynamics, makers of Big Dog, have been tapped by DARPA to make a robot that can hop 25 feet in the air.

Originally designed by Sandia National Laboratories, the robot is called Precision Urban Hopper.  Boston Dynamics is now tasked with taking the prototype and making it more precise and able to stick its landings.  The goal is to make a robot that can jump over urban obstacles like fences.

The hopping robot is due sometime in 2010.

Pictured here is the Raibert Hopper, a one legged hopper from the 1980′s by Marc Raibert.  This robot was revolutionary for studying how leg locomotion worked and is now in the Robot Hall of Fame.

Link via (Engadget)