Swiss robot dog can now pick up and throw a ball accurately like humans

ETH Zurich’s robotic dog ANYmal, originally designed for autonomous operation in challenging environments, has been enhanced with a custom arm and gripper, enabling it to pick up and throw objects with human-like accuracy. The robot’s advanced actuators and integrated sensors allow it to navigate complex terrain while maintaining stability and situational awareness. Unlike traditional factory robots, ANYmal is built to handle unpredictable outdoor conditions, making it suitable for tasks such as industrial inspection, disaster response, and exploration. The research team, led by Fabian Jenelten, trained ANYmal using reinforcement learning within a highly realistic virtual environment that simulated real-world physics. This approach, known as sim-to-real transfer, allowed the robot to practice millions of throws safely and ensured its skills transferred effectively to real-world scenarios. In testing, ANYmal successfully picked up and threw various objects—including balls, bottles, and fruit—across different surfaces and environmental challenges, such as wind and uneven ground, demonstrating adaptability and precise control without pre-programmed steps. This