Robot can now sweat it out at gym

A university in Japan has discovered a novel way to keep its robot cool as it works out - by making it sweat.

The Kengoro robot, developed at the University of Tokyo, moves with a complex series of motors that are vulnerable to overheating.

Its structure does not allow space for the fans and radiators, so engineers created small gaps in its frame that allow water to seep out, cooling the 1.7m-tall robot.

The technique - similar to how humans sweat - is a lightweight alternative to traditional cooling systems and allows Kengoro to continue operating a lot longer.

It can now do press-ups for 11 minutes without putting too much strain on its motors.

Kengoro had its frame laser- sintered with aluminium powder, a technique similar to 3D-printing, which allows complex designs to be created.

The robot can run for six hours on half a cup of water.

"Our concept was adding more functions to the frame, using it to transfer water and at the same time support forces," lead researcher Toyotaka Kozuki told IEEE Spectrum.