A rugged, high-speed quadruped robot called "Lynx" developed in China has been showing off some of its impressive off-road capabilities, with the powered wheels on its feet giving it the edge in tough terrain.
The dog-like robot developed by Hangzhou-based tech company DEEP Robotics was filmed recently skillfully navigating complex environments, hopping over a creek, powering down a ski slope and jumping over boulders with ease.
Among its many skills, "Lynx" can do somersaults, stand on one foot and jump over obstacles while maintaining balance at high speeds, with its developers always looking to push it to its limits.
"On the one hand, it shows our latest technical strength, and on the other hand, it gives us the chance to develop the robot for specific use-cases, which requires the robot to adapt quickly in these complex terrains. So that's why we put it in such extreme environments on snow and in water, and in quite low temperatures which was also a test for our robot," said Qian Xiaoyu, brand manager of Hangzhou-based DEEP Robotics.
China's high-speed, off-road robot a game changer on tough terrain
Local authorities in China's northern regions have taken swift measures to ensure public safety and maintain smooth transportation as heavy snow disrupted roads and brought plunging temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.
Moderate to heavy snow swept across the country's northeastern province of Jilin on Tuesday.
Snow began in the provincial capital Changchun around 07:00, resulting in accumulations on urban roads. The local urban administration bureau immediately activated its snow removal plan.
"A total of 15,000 sanitation workers were immediately mobilized for manual operations. And over 1,800 snow service vehicles were deployed to carry out snow removal tasks," said Li Wenxiu, deputy head of the sanitation department under the urban administration bureau of Changchun City.
Multiple expressway entrances were closed from 07:30 due to the snowfall.
A sharp temperature drop was forecast after the heavy snow, with minimum temperatures in central and western Jilin falling to between minus 18 degrees Celsius and minus 21 degrees Celsius.
In Gansu Province in northwest China, heavy snow hit 19 counties in nine prefectures as of Monday, with snow accumulated up to eight centimeters as of 08:00 on Tuesday. Temperatures in some areas dropped by four to six degrees Celsius.
Icy roads triggered temporary traffic controls on eight major expressway, while some cars were seen skidding on slippery sections.
In response to the hazardous road conditions, highway departments quickly mobilized teams to carry out snow removal operations. They prioritized high-risk areas prone to icing, including bridges, steep slopes, and sharp curves.
Meanwhile, traffic police stepped up patrols, employing lead vehicles for speed control and releasing traffic in stages on the most affected roads.
In Minle County of Zhangye City, police officers paid extra attention to school zones during student arrival and dismissal times, directing traffic and escorting students across streets.
"We mainly focus on de-icing roads, directing traffic, and escorting students, to ensure every child gets to school safely and returns home safely," said Chen Aiguo, a traffic police officer.
China's northern regions mobilize to ensure safety amid snowfall
