Boston Dynamics' newest robot is a rollerblading kangaroo

The newest robot from Boston Dynamics rolls on two wheels and has legs like a kangaroo. Or a dog – or any number of other bent-legged creatures who would all look equally wild aboard a pair of one-wheeled shoes. This robot is the latest in a long line of balancing, walking, or otherwise moving robots from the folks at Boston Dynamics.

The whole bunch of robots shown by Boston Dynamics lead toward a future in which robots are able to stand up. Stand up and move, carry things, and/or take over the Earth. It's important that I mention we're creating the robot apocalypse now, and each time I mention Boston Dynamics, just so we're aware of it as well in advance as possible.

The newest robot is called Handle – and it's like the others in that it's a research robot made for efficiency in its method of locomotion. For this robot, that means having versatile legs and wheels that allow it to move about in as smooth and simple a manner as possible.

SEE THIS: SlashGear 101: What is Boston Dynamics?

This robotic nightmare creature is 6.5-feet tall and is able to move a top speed of 9-miles per hour. It's also able to jump – if you've not already seen that – and it is quite unsettling indeed. This robot is said to be able to move around on a battery for about 15-miles before needing a recharge.

"Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles​ found in the quadruped and biped robots we build, but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex," said a Boston Dynamics representative. "Wheels work efficiently on flat surfaces while legs can go almost anywhere: by combining wheels and legs Handle can have the best of both worlds."

For more information on Boston Dynamics, dive into our Boston Dynamics tag portal. For more information on Handle, see the article in which Handle was first introduced back at the start of this month.