The research team at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States has announced the development of the world’s smallest known electric autonomous miniature bipedal robot, ‘Zippy’. This robot stands less than 4 centimeters tall and, thanks to its compact onboard battery, actuators, and control system, can not only start autonomously but also walk, turn, jump, and climb at a speed of 10 steps per second. The related results were presented at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
The agile electric autonomous miniature bipedal robot ‘Zippy’ stands less than 4 centimeters tall.
Image source: Carnegie Mellon University
The research team stated that although the structure of the miniature bipedal robot is complex, it holds significant importance. The bipedal design allows it to adapt to rugged terrain and provides greater mobility advantages compared to wheeled robots. They have successfully achieved a practical breakthrough for miniature bipedal robots by simplifying the walking mechanism.
The secret to ‘Zippy’s’ walking lies in its design: when the front legs are lifted, the center of gravity shifts forward, and the arc-shaped front foot design allows ample swinging space for the hind legs, enabling large strides. This ingenious mechanical structure allows its step frequency to match that of a human running at 31 kilometers per hour, setting a record for the step frequency of autonomous bipedal robots.
The research team pointed out that this miniature robot can access narrow spaces that are difficult for humans and other devices to reach, making it applicable in fields such as disaster search and rescue, industrial inspection, and geological exploration. Their next step is to equip ‘Zippy’ with visual sensors to give it positioning and autonomous navigation capabilities, and in the future, it may perform complex tasks in hazardous environments through collaborative efforts.
Source: Science and Technology Daily
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