DESCRIPTION
The BionicKangaroo is a Festo Bionic Learning Network research robot that reproduces a kangaroo's hopping gait, and with it the animal's trick of recovering and reusing the energy of each landing to power the next jump. That recuperation principle, not the novelty of the form, is the point of the project: it is a demonstrator for energy-efficient motion in automation technology. The locomotor system is built from laser-sintered components reinforced with carbon, which keeps the artificial animal down to roughly seven kilograms at about one metre tall. It jumps up to 40 cm high and up to 80 cm in distance. Festo developed two mobile energy concepts for it, one with an integrated compressor and one with a mobile high-pressure storage device. It is operated by gesture: a wave sets it moving and hand signals turn it, with a wristband recording the user's movements and sending them to the controller over Bluetooth. Unlike a single-purpose industrial robot it is a research and education platform, developed with universities and institutes rather than sold as a product.
FEATURES
- Recovers energy from each landing to power the next jump
- Roughly 7 kg total weight
- About 1 m tall
- Jumps up to 40 cm high
- Jumps up to 80 cm in distance
- Laser-sintered, carbon-reinforced locomotor components
- Two mobile energy concepts: integrated compressor or high-pressure storage
- Gesture control via a Bluetooth wristband
- Part of the Festo Bionic Learning Network, not a commercial product
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Physical | |
| Weight | Approx. 7 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | H 1 m |
| Materials | Carbon fiber, Polymer components |
| Mobility | |
| Movement Type | Bipedal |
| Power | |
| Battery Life | Approx. 30 minutes active hopping |
| Charging Type | Lithium-ion battery |
| Charging Time | Approx. 1.5 hours |
| Sensing & Compute | |
| Sensors | Stereo cameras, IMU |
| Connectivity | Wireless communication |
| Software / AI | Festo control platform |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Physical | |
| Weight | Approx. 7 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | H 1 m |
| Materials | Carbon fiber, Polymer components |
| Mobility | |
| Movement Type | Bipedal |
| Power | |
| Battery Life | Approx. 30 minutes active hopping |
| Charging Type | Lithium-ion battery |
| Charging Time | Approx. 1.5 hours |
| Sensing & Compute | |
| Sensors | Stereo cameras, IMU |
| Connectivity | Wireless communication |
| Software / AI | Festo control platform |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the BionicKangaroo?
The BionicKangaroo is a Festo Bionic Learning Network research robot that reproduces a kangaroo's hopping gait, and with it the animal's trick of recovering and reusing the energy of each landing to power the next jump.
Who makes the BionicKangaroo?
The BionicKangaroo is made by Festo, a robotics company based in Germany.
How much does the BionicKangaroo cost?
Festo has not publicly announced pricing for the BionicKangaroo. You can enquire through RobotAIGeek for current pricing.
What is the BionicKangaroo used for?
The BionicKangaroo is designed for entertainment and helping. It is used in homes settings.
How much does the BionicKangaroo weigh?
The BionicKangaroo weighs Approx. 7 kg.
What is the battery life of the BionicKangaroo?
The BionicKangaroo runs for Approx. 30 minutes active hopping on a charge. It takes Approx. 1.5 hours to charge.
When was the BionicKangaroo released?
The BionicKangaroo was announced in 2014 and is not yet generally available.
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