Engineering firm Boston Dynamics has built an anthropomorphic robot named Ian that mimics the iconic crane kick unleashed by Daniel LaRusso in 1983 movie The Karate Kid.

As pointed out by 9to5Google.com, the Atlas robot stands at 6-feet-2, weighs 330 lbs and boasts a head made up of two cameras and a laser rangefinder that provides the necessary depth perception that allows it to do what most other robots can’t.

Having begun life as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Dynamics specialises in advanced robots. Atlas, one of nine projects the team is working on, has been built with sensate hands that will enable the machine to use tools designed for human use.

LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), of course, developed his crane kick by watching his mentor Mr Miyagi (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita) perform the technique. Compare man versus machine below. Whether Ian can wax on and wax off, however, is unconfirmed.