A quadruped robot finished 42.195 km on one battery

It averaged 2.64 m/s over a course with 286 m of elevation change and slippery sections.

It used 1,280 Wh of a 2,016 Wh battery, about 63%; the authors estimate roughly 25 km of range remained under comparable conditions.

Why legs consume energy

Unlike wheels, legs continually support body weight and lose energy at each contact. The team combined light legs, optimized motor electronics and learned gait rules.

What the efficiency means

Its normalized cost of transport was 0.25, below the cited human-running value of 0.37. This engineering ratio is not a direct comparison of calories or race speed.

Possible use

Longer range could help mountain or disaster robots. Payloads, harsher terrain, weather and communications still require separate tests.

What comes next

Repeat runs, battery ageing, repairs and autonomous decisions must be measured. This remains one platform in one verified event.

Primary source and independent checks

Primary source: Nature paper

Institutional explanation: Nature Portfolio release

Independent check: KAIST event record

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