Flame, the robot of the Delft Biorobotics Lab of the (technical) university Delft, is not by nature stable, but like humans it constantly searches for balance. When it walks, for example, it needs both legs for stability. (tip: Heini Withagen of Mirabeau (Dutch))

Traditional robots have always stood with bent legs so they could lift both legs (not at the same time, of course) from any walking position and still remain standing. Humans can’t do that: if you take away a leg whilst walking, a human will keel right over. By implementing this natural algorithm the walk of this robot looks a lot more natural.

Future Vision by Erwin Van Lun on this article

Tools became engines. Engines became like robots. Robots are becoming like people. Sooner or later we won’t be able to tell the difference and we’ll have buddies who do exactly as we say, whom we can laugh with, and who can provide us with good advice. What a pamper planet it’s going to be!

• in Dutch