MIT's Robotic Cheetah Can Now Leap Over Obstacles

The last time we heard from the researchers working on MIT's robotic cheetah project, they had untethered their machine to let it bound freely across the campus lawns. Wireless and with a new spring in its step, the robot hit speeds of 10 mph (6 km/h) and could jump 13 in (33 cm) into the air. The quadrupedal robot has now been given another upgrade in the form of a LIDAR system and special algorithms, allowing it to detect and leap over obstacles in its path.

Fujifilm Announces the Enthusiast-Friendly X-T10 Camera

The Fujifilm X-T10 is the latest addition to the X-series line-up, and a little sibling to the high-end Fujifilm X-T1. As such the new mirrorless camera has a lot in common with its bigger brother, including a 16.3 megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor, a 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and the recently announced new autofocus modes. However, to reduce the intimidation factor for less experienced photographers, the camera is smaller and more accessible, with an Auto Mode Switch lever for accessing the fully-automatic Advanced SR Auto mode.

Samsung PowerBot VR9000

We first spotted the Samsung PowerBot VR9000 robot vacuum last year in Berlin, at the IFA consumer electronics and home appliances trade show. At the time, it was pitched as a high-end addition to Samsung's Asian and European lineups (it costs £700 at Argos in the UK -- in Australia, it sells for AU$1,499). This year, it's available in Best Buys across the US for $1,000.