16 October 2015 Last updated at 16:43 BST
Karen Liu, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, said a falling robot can damage its components and also the people around it.
She said the algorithm could help reduce the impact when a humanoid robot takes a tumble.
She hopes robots will eventually be able to learn how to recover from a fall.
Watch the video to see the algorithm in action when a robot gets pushed over.

In a statement to its members, the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) said it has "decided to shelve discussions about a sale" of Silverstone Circuit.
Potential investors including the Jaguar Land Rover group and MotorSport Vision had previously shown interest in the Northamptonshire venue.
The statement added the move is "not without risk".
Former British F1 driver Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision pulled out of the running for the circuit before Christmas.
In November, Jaguar Land Rover said it had ended discussions with the BRDC "for the foreseeable future".
BRDC chairman John Grant said it had expected to "pick up discussions" with an "unnamed substantial overseas investor" in the new year, but added: "After further reflection and, in particular, completion of the sale of Formula 1 to Liberty Media, the board has now decided to shelve discussions about a sale and continue on a go-it-alone basis."
He said: "While this is not without risk, we feel sufficient confidence in the improved prospects for our business to justify this change of direction."
Mr Grant also said the decision means background changes such as the removal of the club secretary role and the introduction of a new voluntary club ambassador would now be put in place.
These had been on hold while the talks were on-going.
Further details will be discussed at the BRDC's AGM, due to take place in April.

The Sagitaire and the Saint Christophe were rescued in the early hours at Town Quay, Dartmouth, where they had taken refuge from storms.
An anti-pollution boom has been put around the Saint Christophe amid fears that more than 10,000 litres of diesel could escape.
Dart inshore lifeboat rescued five crew of the Sagitaire over the stern.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service rescued the five crew of the Saint Christophe by ladder.
Emergency services received the call just after 00:35 GMT on Thursday and found the vessels were listing and aground.
The lifeboat crew found severe internal flooding on the Saint Christophe.
A boom was placed round the vessel by the Dart Harbour Authority vessel, Hercules, to prevent an oil spill.
Harbour master Captain Rob Giles said there were 10-15,000 litres of diesel oil on board, but only five litres had escaped so far.
"Our primary concern is to safeguard the area," he said.
The fire service sent two appliances from Dartmouth, one from Kingsbridge, one from Paignton, and a pump and command unit from Totnes.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to help robots fall more gracefully, to protect them from damage.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
The home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix is no longer for sale, its owner has announced.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Ten French fishermen were rescued when their trawlers began to sink in a Devon harbour.