for space exploration studies:
The spine works alongside other components to create a complex biomechanical system capable of traversing obstacles that would defeat wheeled vehicles – the robot even shuffles to balance itself on moving surfaces, shifting its centre of gravity as the ground tilts beneath it.
The iStruct “robot ape” is under test as a potential space explorer at the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) – and is just one of several “biologically inspired” robot explorers under test, including robot insects.