Engineering firm Boston Dynamics has - with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Defense Department - developed `BigDog' robotic dog, which boasts the agility as well as strength required for climbing climb rough terrains; and can also carry and hurl heavy loads.

In development since 2005, Boston Dynamics' four-legged BigDog robot has now got sturdy and spry limbs inserted for it, so as to offer potential assistance to troops while navigating through difficult terrains by carrying the heavy load, which may include artillery, and medical and food supplies.

According to the details shared by Boston Dynamics, the BigDog robot can not only run and walk over rubble, but can also climb terrain - even a mucky trail and slopes up to 35 degrees - and wade through water and snow.

As per Boston Dynamics, BigDog - the 240-pound, 2 ½-foot tall and 3-foot long robot, which can carry a 340-lb load - has set a world record for legged vehicle by having traversed 12.8 miles non-stop, without any refueling halts.

With Boston Dynamics having posted a YouTube video on Thursday to showcase BigDog's skills, a video description of the robot's capabilities has highlighted that the strength of the robot's legs and torso helps power its arm movements; and elaborated: "This sort of dynamic, whole-body approach is routinely used by human athletes and animals, and will enhance the performance of advanced robots."