Saturday, April 25, 2026

First Multi-Robot Team Launched for Rescue Missions

Last year in Pasadena, a robot walked with another robot on its back. This was at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The robots are called X1. They are made for tasks that are too dangerous for people.

Engineers from Caltech and Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute worked together on the X1 project for three years. They created a team of robots that work closely together. Each robot does its special job well.

The leader of the project is Aaron Ames. He is a mechanical engineer. He studies robots that can move and make decisions without help from people. The main robot, X1, walks on two legs and can carry heavy things. The second robot can change shape based on what it needs to do.

In a test, the X1 robots started inside a lab and moved to an outdoor area. They acted like a quick response team for emergencies. The robots can work together to find people or supplies in dangerous places without putting humans at risk. If they improve, they may help in real emergencies in the future.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

engineers/ˌɛn.dʒəˈnɪrz/noun
people who design and build machines

project/ˈprɑdʒɛkt/noun
a planned piece of work or task

mechanical/məˈkænɪkəl/adjective
relating to machines, engines, or tools

response/rɪˈspɑns/noun
an answer or action to something

emergencies/ɪˈmɝdʒənsiz/noun
sudden dangerous events needing quick action

supplies/səˈplaɪz/noun
things needed for support or use

How much do you know?

Where did the robot walk with another robot on its back?
Harvard University
California Institute of Technology
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
What is the name of the main robot?
X2
Y1
X1
Z1
How long did the engineers work on the X1 project?
Two years
One year
Three years
Five years
Who is the leader of the X1 project?
Aaron Ames
John Doe
Jane Smith
Mark Johnson
What does the second robot do?
Can walk on two legs
Can change shape
Carries heavy things
Responds to emergencies
What role do the X1 robots serve in emergencies?
Automated delivery
Quick response team
Entertainment
Surveillance
The robots are designed for tasks that are safe for people.
The main robot, X1, can walk on four legs.
Engineers from different institutions collaborated on the X1 project.
The project took a total of five years to complete.
X1 robots can work together to find people or supplies in dangerous places.
Aaron Ames is an electrical engineer.
The robots are called X1 and were developed at the California Institute of .
The main robot can walk on two legs and can carry things.
The project for the X1 robots lasted for years.
The second robot can change based on its tasks.
In a test, X1 robots acted like a quick response team for
Engineers worked together on the X1 project from Caltech and Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
engineers/ˌɛn.dʒəˈnɪrz/noun
people who design and build machines
project/ˈprɑdʒɛkt/noun
a planned piece of work or task
mechanical/məˈkænɪkəl/adjective
relating to machines, engines, or tools
response/rɪˈspɑns/noun
an answer or action to something
emergencies/ɪˈmɝdʒənsiz/noun
sudden dangerous events needing quick action
supplies/səˈplaɪz/noun
things needed for support or use

How much do you know?

Where did the robot walk with another robot on its back?
Harvard University
California Institute of Technology
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
What is the name of the main robot?
X2
Y1
X1
Z1
How long did the engineers work on the X1 project?
Two years
One year
Three years
Five years
Who is the leader of the X1 project?
Aaron Ames
John Doe
Jane Smith
Mark Johnson
What does the second robot do?
Can walk on two legs
Can change shape
Carries heavy things
Responds to emergencies
What role do the X1 robots serve in emergencies?
Automated delivery
Quick response team
Entertainment
Surveillance
The robots are designed for tasks that are safe for people.
The main robot, X1, can walk on four legs.
Engineers from different institutions collaborated on the X1 project.
The project took a total of five years to complete.
X1 robots can work together to find people or supplies in dangerous places.
Aaron Ames is an electrical engineer.
The robots are called X1 and were developed at the California Institute of .
The main robot can walk on two legs and can carry things.
The project for the X1 robots lasted for years.
The second robot can change based on its tasks.
In a test, X1 robots acted like a quick response team for
Engineers worked together on the X1 project from Caltech and Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation
This question is required

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