Down the road, HyQ could be a substitute for humans in hazardous situations and search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings after natural disasters.
Using a force control system reacting to the pressure on the feet, HyQ can navigate and traverse irregular surfaces and adjust its pace to overcome obstacles of different sizes and shapes.
But HyQ has a customized IMU which gives it the ability to overcome obstacles and adjust its steps in real time in order to maintain a pre-determined posture and stay on its course.
From a fast-walking trot and incline tests to balance disturbance and reactive walking through rough terrain, the HyQ was able to reach speeds up to 2 meters per second and navigate around debris in its path.