A robot designed to run like a cat could open up new possibilities for life-saving search-and-rescue tools.
Designed by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne's Biorobotics Laboratory, the metal feline is about to run with the same mechanics as a regular moggy.
The result is a small robot which is both very fast and stable - in fact it's the quickest quadruped around under 30Kg.
The cat-like running motion helps the animal move over uneven surfaces.
A press release announcing its publication in the International Journal of Robotics Research adds:
"Although not as agile as a real cat, it still has excellent auto-stabilization characteristics when running at full speed or over a course that included disturbances such as small steps. In addition, the robot is extremely light, compact, and robust and can be easily assembled from materials that are inexpensive and readily available."
(Hat-tip to Engadget)