A robot with four legs solved a giant Rubik’s Cube using only its feet. Researchers at ETH Zurich and NVIDIA reported the results. The robot, called ANYmal-D, finished the puzzle three times on its own. Each time, it needed about 30 steps and eight to nine minutes.
First, the robot walks around the cube and turns it over to see every side. Its camera checks the colours, and a computer programme finds the answer. Another programme turns this answer into movements for the robot. The camera checks the cube’s position again between moves.
The robot uses its feet to turn the cube over and move its layers. One foot holds the cube still while another turns it. The other layers must stay in place. The robot learnt these skills in a computer world, with points for good movements and balance.
The team tested the robot on slippery floors and stone paths, including stones with moss. They also pulled its leg and pushed the cube away. The robot continued after these problems. It could also turn over a small, light box and a round container.
