Video Friday: Humanoid Robot Takes On Monkey Bars
Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos
In this week's featured video, a humanoid robot attempts to traverse a set of monkey bars—a task that's surprisingly difficult for both humans and machines. The robot, developed by researchers at ETH Zurich's Robotic Systems Lab (RSL), moves across scaffolding rigged as playground monkey bars while trying to maintain its balance. The challenge highlights the complexities of dynamic locomotion and balance control in humanoid robotics.
As we move into 2026, humanoid robots are increasingly being tested on agile, parkour-like tasks that were once considered impossible. Advances in reinforcement learning and whole-body control are enabling robots to handle complex, dynamic environments—from construction sites to disaster zones. While the robot in this video may not be breaking any speed records, its ability to hang and swing from bar to bar represents a significant step toward versatile, human-like mobility.
Stay tuned for more awesome robot videos every Friday.