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New robot can outrun Usain Bolt, heaven help us all

Remember this day, friends. We're living in the opening minutes of a robots-take-over-the-world film.

The contraption above is known as "The Raptor," and it's the creation of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. It combines blades similar to those used by amputee athletes and an optional tail for balance to reach top speeds of 28.58 miles per hour. Usain Bolt, the world's fastest human, has hit 27.44 miles per hour.

The Raptor weighs about 26 pounds, and uses an individual motor per leg. Its Achilles tendon both absorbs shock and recovers energy in the course of its motion. The robot isn't the fastest in the world; that honor belongs to the Boston Dynamics Cheetah, which uses four legs to hit 29-plus miles per hour.

The inspiration for the Raptor was, of course, the velociraptor, the dinosaur that could chase down its prey before ripping it to pieces with its claws. While this Raptor is, at the moment, confined to treadmills, researchers have indicated that they will soon prepare it to run on other surfaces. In other words, make peace with your deity now, friends.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter.