this paper studies the effect of flexible linear torso on the dynamics of passive quadruped bounding. a reduced-order passive and conservative model with linear flexible torso and springy legs is introduced. the model features extensive spine deformation during high-speed bounding, resembling those observed in a cheetah. fixed points corresponding to cyclic bounding motions are found and calcul...

It is well known that legged locomotion is more efficient,speedy, and versatile than the one by track and wheeled vehicles when it operates in a rough terrain or in unconstructed environment. The potential advantages of legged locomotion can be indicated such as better mobility, obstacles overcoming ability, active suspension, energy efficiency, and achievable speed (Song & Waldron, 1989). Legg...

The most relevant differences existing between wheeled and legged robots, from the point of view of the expected navigation tasks to be performed using each kind of locomotion, are reviewed. We propose a new framework for legged robot navigation that replaces many implicit assumptions usually made for wheeled robots by new ones that are better suited to legged robots. Based on this, specific te...

Learning gaits for walking robots is difficult because the elements of control require repetition of a sequence of integrated steps. Controllers for the six-legged robots, such as the Stiquito, and the eight-legged spider robots, in development, exemplify the difficulties of evolving gaits. The controllers for these robots store the actuator commands in a field-programmable gate array as a list...

This research realizes and analyze Multi-legged Passive Dynamic Walking(PDW). Although various PDW studies have been conducted based on its interesting features, most of them dealt with bipedal robots. There are many kinds of multi-legged creatures, not only quadrupedal animals but also creatures with more than six legs. In this paper, we focus on a “Multi-legged PDW,” which is a PDW with more ...

and development in physical agents, namely, fully autonomous legged robots. In this article, we describe our work using Sony’s legged robots to participate at the RoboCup-98 legged robot demonstration and competition. Robotic soccer represents a challenging environment for research in systems with multiple robots that need to achieve concrete objectives, particularly in the presence of an adver...

In this chapter, we introduce legged robots. After introducing the history of legged robot research in Sect. 16.1, we start to discuss hopping robots and analyze a simple passive walker as a typical cycling walking robot in Sect. 16.2; the Poincaré map is one of the most important tools to analyze its dynamics and stability. In Sect. 16.3, the dynamics and control of general biped robots are di...

Sony has provided a remarkable platform for research and development in robotic agents, namely fully autonomous legged robots. In this paper, we describe our work using Sony's legged robots to participate in the RoboCup'98 legged robot demonstration and competition. The robots are fully autonomous with on-board vision, control, and navigation. The challenges we addressed in this framework inclu...