Laibo 2, the robot dog developed in South Korea, has become the first robot to complete a marathon with a single charge, covering a distance of 42.195 kilometers.
Developed by Professor Hwangbo Je-min and his team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Laibo 2 is an advanced four-legged robot designed with a focus on endurance.
Recently, Laibo 2 made history by becoming the first robot to finish the 22nd Sangju Grape Marathon held in Sangju, South Korea, with an impressive time of 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds, all on just one charge.
Robot Dog Laibo 2. (Photo: O.C).
Weighing 42 kg, the robot had to navigate challenging terrains, including two relatively steep hills, estimate distances relative to other competitors, maintain its speed, and reduce power consumption to ensure it could cross the finish line.
Last September, Laibo 2 failed to complete its first marathon attempt. During the Geumsan Ginseng Festival Marathon, the robot ran out of battery after 37 km, which was about 10 km shorter than the target set by its designers.
After this unsuccessful trial, the research team realized that the robot could not maintain a stable speed throughout the race alongside human runners. Furthermore, continuous braking and acceleration drained the battery. The developers then redesigned and implemented an improved robotic system.
The 2023 version of the four-legged Laibo 2 features a significantly larger battery capacity and an artificial intelligence (AI) running system that allows it to harness energy generated by momentum when descending hills.
According to Professor Hwangbo Je-min, the AI component is crucial since the robot dog cannot store kinetic energy in the battery without AI control.
Two cameras mounted on the front and rear of the robot can detect surrounding terrain features, while sensors on the joints monitor movement to minimize power consumption. These new systems enable Laibo 2 to effectively navigate various terrains and avoid collisions with other runners during this month’s race.
Laibo 2 completed the marathon distance (42.195 km) in less than 4 hours and 20 minutes on a single charge. The robot’s creators claim that the improvements made can allow Laibo 2 to run up to 67 km in a straight line. The upgraded robot’s 8-hour battery life is said to outperform Spot, the famous four-legged robot from Boston Dynamics.
In the future, Professor Hwangbo and his team will strive to enhance Laibo 2’s mobility in mountainous terrains and disaster-stricken environments.
