KAIST quadruped robot completes marathon on single charge

A research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a quadruped robot, named RAIBO2, capable of completing a full marathon on a single battery charge. The robot completed the 42.195-kilometer Sangju Marathon in South Korea in 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds, running alongside human participants.

According to a study published in the journal Nature, RAIBO2 traveled more than three times the distance per charge compared to existing quadruped robots. The development addresses a major limitation in legged robotics, where energy is constantly consumed to support weight and lost during foot-to-ground contact. To achieve this efficiency, the team utilized lighter legs and optimized motor drive electronics rather than simply increasing battery size.