We present a software synthesis method for speedcontrolled robot walking based on supervisory control of a context-free Motion Grammar. First, we use Human-Inspired control to identify parameters for fixed speed walking and for transitions between fixed speeds, guaranteeing dynamic stability. Next, we build a Motion Grammar representing the discretetime control for this set of speeds. Then, we ...

There exists a class of two-legged machines for which walking is a natural dynamic mode: Once started on a shallow slope, such a machine will settle into a steady gait quite comparable to human walking, without active control or energy input. Interpretation and analysis of the underlying physics is straighgorward; the walking cycle, its stability, and sensitivity to parameter variations are eas...

Theauthors have built the first three-dimensional, kneed, two-legged, passive-dynamic walking machine. Since the work of Tad McGeer in the late 1980s, the concept of passive dynamics has added insight into animal locomotion and the design of anthropomorphic robots. Various analyses and machines that demonstrate efficient humanlike walking have been developed using this strategy. Human-like pass...

Stride intervals of normal human walking exhibit long-range temporal correlations. Similar to the fractal-like behaviors observed in brain and heart activity, long-range correlations in walking have commonly been interpreted to result from chaotic dynamics and be a signature of health. Several mathematical models have reproduced this behavior by assuming a dominant role of neural central patter...

This work presents the simulation of a seven degree of freedom exoskeleton for lower limbs which uses synchronized neural oscillators to generate and adapt the joint trajectories regarding the change of the walking velocity. Neural oscillators are sets of differential equations able to produce an oscillatory signal given appropriate values to their parameters. Thus, a curve fitting optimization...

We investigated the planar covariation of lower limb segment elevation angles during bipedal walking in macaques to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the origin and evolution of the planar law in human walking. Two Japanese macaques and four adult humans walking on a treadmill were recorded, and the time course of the elevation angles at the thigh, shank and foot segments relative to the vert...

Theoretical studies and robotic experiments have shown that asymptotically stable periodic walking may emerge from nonlinear limit-cycle oscillators in the neuro-mechanical periphery. We recently reported entrainment of human gait to periodic mechanical perturbations with two essential features: 1) entrainment occurred only when the perturbation period was close to the original (preferred) walk...

A walking-assistant robot guided by the intention and power-driven is presented, its purpose is to provide physical support and walking assistance for the elderly to meet their needs of walking autonomy, friendliness, and maintaining the ability of walking and taking care of themselves. Tactile and slip sensor is selected as the human interface to perceive the user’s walking intent, and the sen...

Robots of any kind, highly integrated mechatronic systems, are smart combinations of mechanics, electronics and information technology. The development of bipedal robots in particular, which perform human-like locomotion, challenges scientists on even higher levels. Facing this challenge, this article presents a biomimetic bottom-up approach to use knowledge of biomechanical experiments on huma...