China's wheeled robot dog climbs stairs at 5 feet per second in demo

Pudu Robotics recently released a video showcasing its PUDU D5 wheeled quadruped robot climbing stairs at a speed of 1.5 meters per second (nearly 5 feet per second) in real time, without edits. The robot demonstrates a hybrid locomotion system, seamlessly switching between wheels on flat terrain and legs for stair climbing, enabling efficient navigation of mixed environments with smooth surfaces and sudden elevation changes. This hybrid approach distinguishes the D5 from other quadrupeds that rely solely on legged movement, emphasizing speed and fluidity. Unveiled in December, the PUDU D5 Series includes two configurations: a fully legged version and a wheeled variant optimized for mixed terrain. Designed for autonomous operation in complex outdoor and industrial settings, the D5 integrates powerful onboard computing using NVIDIA’s Orin platform and an RK3588 chip, supporting real-time mapping, obstacle avoidance, and path planning without constant human supervision. Its 360-degree perception system combines fisheye