Robo-mule helps the Marines

U.S. troops who carry as much as 50 kilograms of gear could soon get a robotic mule capable of shouldering their burdens in the toughest terrain. Such a robot recently showed how it can follow a person and navigate around trees and rocks while climbing a hill in its first outdoor test — but it might someday follow spoken commands like a huge, obedient dog.

The four-legged, headless "LS3" robot evolved as the quieter, faster and tougher version of Boston Dynamics' "BigDog" robot funded by the U.S. military's DARPA research arm. Upcoming trials will test the robot's ability to carry 200 kilograms on a tough 35-kilometer trek without any refueling for 24 hours.

Added "hearing" technology could even allow human squad members to issue spoken commands such as "stop," "sit" or "come here."

The LS3 robot also acts as a mobile charging station for troops to recharge batteries for their radios, tablets or laptops while on patrol.

If everything goes well, a full 18 months of tests starting this summer will end with the robot going out on field exercises with the Marines.