VIDEO: "HECTOR" - Watch the 1st Steps of a Robot Inspired by Stick Bugs

They Grow Up so Fast, don't they ? It was just a Few Years Ago that, "HECTOR", the Stick Bug Robot was Little More than a Twinkle in Bielefeld University's Eye and it's Already Taking its 1st Steps. Ok so, this Isn't Quite a Tear-Jerking Moment but, it's still an Important Achievement in Robotics. As you'll See in the Video below, All of "HECTOR's" 6 Insect-Like Legs Move Independently while Reacting to Unexpected Changes in Terrain. They Shift to Maintain Balance on Slippery Ground and Raise Themselves above Small Obstacles the Moment they Sense Resistance. "HECTOR" is just a Proof of Concept for Now so, he Won't be Crawling Outside of a Lab Anytime Soon -- Probably a Good Thing, since he Doesn't Have Eyes. Bielefeld already has a Prototype with 2 Cameras and "Feelers", though, so, there's a Real Possibility that you'll See this Machine Get Around on its Own by the Time a Planned 2017 Upgrade Arrives. If Everything Goes Smoothly, this Project Could Pave the Way for Autonomous Cargo Haulers, Extraterrestrial Rovers and Other Robots that Can't Always Count on a Stable Footing.




Here's a Video to Watch "HECTOR" in Action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbqSrXLKGI


Info Sources:

http://ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/blog/uninews/entry/first_steps_for_hector_the

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26714-giant-robotic-insect-takes-its-first-steps.html#.VJZaOsABG

http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/21/7428647/this-large-stick-bug-robot-has-a-name-and-its-hector

http://gizmodo.com/giant-robotic-insects-are-the-adorable-stuff-of-nightma-1672710714