MIT‘s Biomimetic Robotics Lab has unveiled a robotic cheetah that jumps hurdles and sprints at 10 mph, mimicking the natural bounding motions of a cheetah. The robot can leap across uneven terrain while still maintaining a steady speed, and cleared a 33 centimeter foam hurdle. The research team believes that the robotic cheetah could eventually reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

A “bounding algorithm” calculates the amount of force required to propel an animal forward or to jump over obstacles. It models the running mechanics of world-class sprinters: the faster the desired speed, the greater the force the legs exert. A 2012 version, developed for DARPA, ran at 28.3 mph on a treadmill, but was attached to a power source.