No hands or arms? No problem for ANYmal-D. This quadruped robot from the ETH Zurich managed to solve a giant Rubik’s Cube on its own using only its legs, while maintaining its balance, announced the researchers from the Robotic Systems Lab behind this feat.
The robot dog begins by analyzing the six sides of the puzzle using its cameras. An algorithm then determines the moves needed to solve it. The hardest part is executing them. ANYmal-D must accurately handle a 4.6 kg cube without falling. Mastery of these gestures was learned through reinforcement learning, through trial and error, explains the specialist site Interesting Engineering.
Technology potentially useful in rescues
He explains that the robot succeeded in its three attempts in eight to nine minutes each. Not a world record for solving a Rubik’s Cube then, but this technology could allow ANYmal-D to use its legs to open doors, manipulate valves or move obstacles during industrial or rescue operations.
