Khaberni - The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), in collaboration with the Technological Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, unveiled a revolutionary robotic system that combines walking, flying, and driving in one device, after three years of continuous development.
The new robot, named X1, appears at first glance as a bipedal robot walking at a normal pace, but the surprise begins when it encounters an obstacle ahead: its backpack detaches and transforms into a drone capable of flying over a lake or barrier, before landing on the other side and deploying its wheels to transform into a small mobile vehicle.
The researchers describe this system as a "transforming robot" with unprecedented capabilities, as it can choose the most suitable mode of movement, whether walking, flying, or driving, depending on the nature of the environment and the obstacles in front of it, making it different from most traditional robots that are limited to one function, according to a report published by "digitaltrends" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
A revolution in the world of smart robotics
The importance of this innovation lies in its potential application in the fields of rescue and exploration. In scenarios such as earthquakes or natural disasters, this robot can be sent to collapsed or dangerous areas to carry out reconnaissance and search for survivors, overcoming obstacles that neither humans nor traditional robots can traverse.
The research team confirms that the next stage aims to enhance the artificial intelligence capabilities of the system, enabling it to execute tasks without needing detailed instructions, but rather based on its understanding of the surrounding environment and its determination of the best ways to accomplish the task, which could make it a true partner for humans in facing challenging field situations in the future.
