Robotics engineer Stefan Schaal so impressed DARPA (the U. S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) with his robotic dog that they have given him $1.5 million to continue his research. Traveling at a speed of only 0.6-inches/second, the toy poodle-size Robo-dog measures position, velocity, and acceleration of its legs. It then learns from any mistakes it makes and reroutes himself. Schaal is now hoping to triple that step rate, no doubt hoping that the robotic pup can eventually run all the way to the bank. You can check out his slow trek on Live Science, although we warn you that the creature is rather eerie to watch in action.