The average human can run at speeds ranging from five to eight mph. Now there's a robot that can run just as fast. Built by PhD students at the University of Michigan, MABEL is the fastest bipedal robot ever built. The headless robot is able to hit speeds of 6.8 mph and closely simulate the way a human runs, lifting its legs three to four inches with each step thanks to the torso being heavier than its light spring-loaded legs.
While you won't see MABEL walking the streets anytime soon, the researchers say the technology behind it can be used to help disabled people walk again. Watch the above video to see MABEL in action and head over to the team's YouTube page to read about how they achieved the feat.
[YouTube via The Engineer, Ubergizmo]
