Run and jump four-legged robot

Researchers at MIT have developed new algorithms, through which a small four-legged robot can now quickly enough to run and jump. The robot is called Cheetah (cheetah), and weighs almost as much as his biological namesake.



Now the robot accelerates to a speed of about 16 km / h. However, the researchers believe they can in the current version of the design to reach 50 km / h. The key to the "Algorithm irregular movement" was a short-term application specific to each leg strength to maintain the set speed. In general, the higher the speed, the greater the force the robot must start from ground. The developers believe that such an approach (from the position of the thrust force, and not the velocity of the feet), similar to run as a world-class sprinters. For example, the same Usain Bolt . That is, when a large force of thrust runner "flies" a little further at the same frequency of leg movement.

For the new version of the robot was developed electric motors with high torque. When creating a "run of the algorithm jumps", the developers started from calculating a force sufficient to overcome gravity and the robot off the ground. Now, the robot can move in this manner at different speeds. Jumping legs thrust force increases several times.

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/236931/