The German automation specialist Festo and its Bionic Learning Network have spawned another creature: The Bionic Kangaroo. After recreating the motion mechanics of several fascinating aquatic and airborne animals they seem to now move on trying to learn the tricks nature applies to land based creatures.

With the BionicKangaroo, Festo has reproduced the unique way a kangaroo moves. Like its natural model, it can recover the energy when jumping, store it and efficiently use it for the next jump.

It combines pneumatic and electrical drive technology to produce a highly dynamic system. The stable jump kinematics plus the precise control technology ensure stability when jumping and landing. The consistent lightweight construction facilitates the unique jumping behavior.

The system is controlled by gestures with a Myo Armband. Festo paid particular attention to the mobile energy supply on the artificial kangaroo. For this purpose, the team even developed two different concepts – one with an integrated compressor and one with a mobile high-pressure storage device.

There is a detailed brochure on the project here. Altogether as always great marketing leading up to the Hannover Messe. Still impressive technology though.