Robohub.org
Bioinspired robot STAR
Researchers at the Biomimetic Millisystem Lab at UC Berkeley have developed a six legged, 12 cm long, bioinspired robot named STAR (Sprawl Tuned Autonomous Robot). The robot can vary its sprawl angle to adapt to different surfaces. From the video description:
The robot, can achieve legged performance over rough surfaces and obstacles, using a high sprawl angle, and nearly wheel-like performance over smooth surfaces for small sprawl angles. By changing the sprawl angle it can climb over obstacles or crawl underneath them. STAR can run at 5.2m/s (43 body lengths/second, Froude number 9.8) over a smooth surface which makes it the fastest untethered crawling robot.
Check out the video below for the robot’s crawling performance.
tags: actuation, bio-inspired, research, USA
Wolfgang Heller
AUAI is supported by:
Related posts :
Robot Talk Episode 166 – Evolving robot bodies and brains, with Rika Antonova
Robot Talk
16 Oct 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Rika Antonova from the University of Cambridge about using artificial intelligence to develop complimentary robot hardware and algorithms.
Neurosymbolic planning using natural language communication for cooperative autonomous vehicles
Read about work that was nominated for the AAMAS 2026 best paper award.
Humanoid robots can sprint and box – but the real test is doing the laundry
The Conversation
12 Oct 2026
No robot system can yet reliably handle the whole laundry process. Even folding remains a challenge.
Robot Talk Episode 165 – Robots behind the research, with Kushant Patel
Robot Talk
09 Oct 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Kushant Patel from Brookhaven National Laboratory about robots that work in scientific facilities, such as particle accelerators.
What three days building a robot taught me
Devashish Tambade and UK RAS STEPS
07 Oct 2026
The brief sounded simple: build a small autonomous robot, then make it survive increasingly difficult mazes. Simple... right? Until you actually have to build one.
Research could guide the future design of social robots
the University of Glasgow
05 Oct 2026
Giving robot companions animal-like or anime-style faces and voices could maximise their emotional appeal to users, according to new research which could help guide the growing field of social robotics.
Robot Talk Episode 164 – Accelerating robot learning, with Michelle Lu
Robot Talk
02 Oct 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Michelle Lu from Vsim Technology about using simulation and artificial intelligence to teach robots new skills.
Robotics and automation? Informal reflections on familiar terms
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS)
30 Sep 2026
IEEE experts reflect on what is meant by the term "robotics and automation".
