Kou-Iii: China Develops a Robot that Walks and Jumps Using Drone Technology

Creating robots that can walk on two feet with high flexibility is an incredibly complex challenge. Despite significant advancements, evident in robots like Atlas from Boston Dynamics, most bipedal robots still struggle with achieving great flexibility in movement.

Researchers are continuously exploring assistive technologies to improve the mobility and agility of these robots. Inspired by natural movements — like how humans swing their arms while running or how birds like ostriches and chickens flap their wings when jumping or running — innovative solutions are being sought.

One such innovative approach comes from researchers at Shandong University in China. They have developed a bipedal robot named KOU-III, which incorporates four drone-like rotors to aid its movement. These rotors, play a crucial role in maintaining the robot’s stability, preventing it from tilting or falling over. Additionally, they provide the necessary lift to help the robot perform jumping motions.

To accommodate this new mechanism, the team made significant improvements to the robot’s knee joints. By enhancing the rigidity and compactness of the knee joint actuator, the robot became more durable and better equipped to handle shocks and impacts.