The adaptive robot developed by AI is almost impossible to destroy

It took nature millions of years to create intelligent, adaptable species. Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois are using AI to develop robots in minutes. The result is a robot that is agile, highly adaptable and technically indestructible.

Robots are typically built for specific environments. A warehouse robot glides efficiently across smooth concrete floors, while robotic dogs can easily go up and down stairs. However, these robots often lack adaptability outside of predefined conditions. Even outdoor robots that are typically capable of navigating uneven terrain can struggle when they encounter challenges that they have not been specifically programmed to overcome.

The same robot that sprints impressively across an open field might as well be a toaster if it gets stuck in the mud or, even worse, loses a limb.

Northwestern researchers are taking a different approach. Instead of designing robots for specific environments or trying to predict everything possible…