Amazing Prototype

It's a for-real quadruped robot, meant to be the 21st Century equivalent of a mule:






"It is a quadruped robot that walks, runs, and climbs on rough terrain and carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system."

Check out the videos, below. Ignore the buzzing of the engine--- that can be dealt with later. Instead, watch the amazing footwork, especially later in the clip:

http://www.bostondynamics.com/content/sec.php?section=BigDog