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Stride Period Adaptation for a Biomimetic Running Hexapod

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Robotics Research

Part of the book series: Springer Tracts in Advanced Robotics ((STAR,volume 6))

Abstract

We demonstrate an adaptation strategy for adjusting the stride period in a hexapedal running robot. The robot is inspired by discoveries about the self-stabilizing properties of insects and uses a sprawled posture, a bouncing alternating-tripod gait, and passive compliance and damping in the limbs to achieve fast, stable locomotion. The robot is controlled by an open-loop clock cycle that activates the legs at fixed intervals. For maximum speed and efficiency, this imposed stride period should be adjusted to match changes in terrain or loading conditions. An ideal adaptation strategy will complement the design philosophy behind the robot and take advantage of the self-stabilizing role of the mechanical system. In this paper we describe an adaptation scheme based on measurements of ground contact timing obtained from binary sensors on the robot’s feet. We discuss the motivation for the approach, putting it in the context of previous research on the dynamic properties of running machines and bouncing multi-legged animals, and show results of experiments.

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Karpick, J.K., Cham, J.G., Clark, J.E., Cutkosky, M.R. (2003). Stride Period Adaptation for a Biomimetic Running Hexapod. In: Jarvis, R.A., Zelinsky, A. (eds) Robotics Research. Springer Tracts in Advanced Robotics, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36460-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36460-9_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00550-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-36460-3

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