MIT's first back-flipping robots play soccer; netizens scared & amused

A scarily amusing video of 'mini Cheetah robots playing football' has caught the attention of netizens. The video released by MIT’s Biomimetics Robotics department shows nine four-legged 'mini cheetah' robots playing football in an open ground. The video shows the 'cheetahs'- the first back-flipping robots, display various movements like dribbling, backflip, running and stretching.

MIT's Mini Cheetah plays football

The video shows the headless robots, stomping their feet as they proceed with their game. Lying on their backs as they crash into each other, the nine cheetah robots have been admired by all netizens. “The Robopocalypse is going to be totally adorable,” wrote a YouTube user.

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Here is the video:

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Twitter is torn between fear and adoration:

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What is a 'Mini Cheetah'?

In March, MIT had announced that the Mini cheetah is the first four-legged robot to do a backflip. Explaining the adorable monster's abilities, MIT stated that the Mini Robot weighs 20 pounds and can perform 360-degree backflip from a standing position. Researchers claim the mini cheetah is designed to be “virtually indestructible,” recovering with little damage, even if a backflip ends in a spill.

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Apart from these amazing acrobatics, each of the robot’s legs is powered by three identical, low-cost electric motors which can be easily replaced. Researchers aim at loaning it to collaborating groups to invent, swap and compete with new ideas. The team is also working on a landing controller for the Mini Cheetah.

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