# I, for one, welcome our Robot Ostrich Overlords **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 16, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-robot-ostrich-overlords/603117 "2011-11-16T14:05:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-robot-ostrich-overlords/603117/1 "2011-11-16T14:05:23Z")
[http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/14/this-robot-ostrich-probably-will-outrun-you/?hpt=hp\_bn6](http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/14/this-robot-ostrich-probably-will-outrun-you/?hpt=hp_bn6) > [@](#): > > This ‘robot ostrich’ probably will outrun you > By John D. Sutter, CNN > > Here’s a fun viral video for your Monday morning - a computer simulation of a “robot ostrich” that’s a joint project of DARPA, the U.S. Defense department’s research arm, MIT and the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition. > The real name for this robot-ostrich project is FastRunner, which makes sense when you consider that it’s being designed to run faster than people. > All of this is semi-theoretical for now. The Florida robotics group says it’s built one leg of the robot ostrich and has been running computer models that show it can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour within 15 seconds of the starting block. > > Its top speed, according to a researcher on the project, is 27 mph. > > Only 40% of the machine has actually been built so far, so all the excitement is about computer models. Expect an actual working prototype of the robo-bird by 2013, said Sebastien Cotton, a research scientist with IHMC in Florida. > > Why an ostrich? > > Because it’s the fastest two-legged animal on land, he said. My favorite part: > [@](#): > > As for what the work this ostrich will do, Cotton said he couldn’t share details. There’s obviously something inherently cool about a 5-foot tall avian cyborg. > > And since DARPA is involved, this unsuspecting ostrich is likely being designed to go to war. “Inherently Cool” indeed. They’re bringing the video game _Joust_ to life. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-robot-ostrich-overlords/603117/2 "2011-11-16T14:22:48Z")
> [@](#): > > And since DARPA is involved, this unsuspecting ostrich is likely being designed to go to war. Awesome! War in the year 2047: “General! They’ve unleashed the killer robot ostriches! They have laser-beam beaks and vicious razor-edged slashing talons! We’re doomed!” “Don’t worry, Lieutenant. We’ll just dig a bunch of holes and when they stick their heads in… unleash our killer cyber-buzzards!” ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-robot-ostrich-overlords/603117/3 "2011-11-16T15:01:06Z")
In the video at your link, I saw a guy doing a presentation that featured a robot and speed specs, and I immediately thought of [this Jimmy John’s commercial.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2jBnF6YGXs) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-robot-ostrich-overlords/603117/4 "2011-11-18T15:35:00Z")
And I thought this was gonna be about [PETMAN](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mclbVTIYG8E) (from the people who brought you [BigDog](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNZPRsrwumQ)).