We haven’t exactly been holding our breaths waiting for a robot that can pull off backflips, have we? A new invention from Disney Research – which, among other thins, enables “more complex, entertaining augmented reality for theme parks” – named Stickman does just that, however.

As the video above shows, Stickman is a three-panel figure which can perform backflips and tucks to pull off a fairly impressive, if somewhat graceless, gymnastic routine. The technological innovation that has gone into making this seven-figure robot be so supple is obviously immense.

To achieve this feat, Stickman has computer-aided vision, laser rangefinders, and inertial motion sensing equipment. But the question remains: what do we need Stickman for?