Page 254 - Robots Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

Walker robots 11

WALKERS ARE A CLASS OF ROBOTS THAT IMITATE THE
locomotion of animals and insects. Essentially, walker robots
use legs for locomotion. Locomotion by legs is hundreds of mil-
lions of years old. In contrast to this, wheels are relatively a new
science, being only 7000 to 10,000 years old. Wheels are good,
but they require a relatively smooth surface to ride upon. Just
look at an aerial photograph of any city or suburb to see the 233
highways and streets crisscrossing the landscape.

Why build walkers?
Walker robots have the potential to transverse rough terrain that
is impassable by standard wheeled vehicles. It is with this in mind
that robotists are developing walker robots.

Imitation of life
Sophisticated walkers imitate insects, crabs, and sometimes hu-
mans. Bipedal walkers are rare, requiring a good deal of engineering
science. I plan to have a bipedal walker robot project in my next
book on robotics, tentatively titled Pic-Robotics. In this chapter we
will build a six-legged walker robot.

Six legs—tripod gait

Using a six-legged model we can demonstrate the famous tripod
gait used by the majority of legged creatures. In the following
drawings a dark circle means the foot is firmly planted on the
ground and supporting the weight of the creature. A light circle
means the foot is up and movable.
Team LRN Walker robots

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