Robot Senses Damage, Learns to Walk Again

November 17, 2006—It may look like a metallic starfish, but scientists say this robot might have more in common with a newborn human. The four-legged machine is a prototype "resilient robot" with the ability to detect damage to itself and alter its walking style in response.

Josh Bongard, an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Vermont in Burlington, and his colleagues created the robot as part of a NASA pilot project working on technology for the next generation of planetary rovers.

While people and animals can easily compensate for injuries, even a small amount of damage can ground NASA machinery entirely.

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