Self-organized adaptive legged locomotion in a compliant quadruped robot

In this contribution we present experiments of an adaptive locomotion controller on a compliant quadruped robot. The adaptive controller consists of adaptive frequency oscillators in different configurations and produces dynamic gaits such as bounding and jumping. We show two main results: (1) The adaptive controller is able to track the resonant frequency of the robot which is a function of different body parameters (2) controllers based on dynamical systems as we present are able to “recognize” mechanically intrinsic modes of locomotion, adapt to them and enforce them. More specifically the main results are supported by several experiments, showing first that the adaptive controller is constantly tracking body properties and readjusting to them. Second, that important gait parameters are dependent on the geometry and movement of the robot and the controller can account for that. Third, that local control is sufficient and the adaptive controller can adapt to the different mechanical modes. And finally, that key properties of the gaits are not only depending on properties of the body but also the actual mode of movement that the body is operating in. We show that even if we specify the gait pattern on the level of the CPG the chosen gait pattern does not necessarily correspond to the CPG’s pattern. Furthermore, we present the analytical treatment of adaptive frequency oscillators in closed feedback J. Buchli ( ) Computational Learning and Motor Control Lab., University of Southern California, Ronald Tutor Hall, RTH-417, 3710 S. McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2905, USA e-mail: [email protected] J. Buchli · A.J. Ijspeert Biologically Inspired Robotics Group, School of Computer and Communication Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland loops, and compare the results to the data from the robot experiments.