Chinese 'robot dog' that moves like a cat could revolutionize space exploration and asteroid mining

An illustration of an asteroid field.

A cat-like exploration robot could one day scramble over the surface of asteroids using a unique movement system designed to keep it in motion even in the most extreme conditions.

Scientists designed the robot’s movement program using a reinforcement learning artificial intelligence (AI) model, meaning it can adapt its movement to best suit the environment in which it is currently placed. This will allow the robot to move dexterously in low-gravity scenarios for which traditional quadruped robots would be unsuitable.