Technology seems to construct everything in a robot, which human have. However, Scientists are still waiting to equipping robots with perfect flexibility to locomotory structure.
We had seen a four-legged robot called BigDog, mainly designed for military supplies, with Internal sensors and motors to allow automatic balance regain on being slipped or pushed. Unfortunately, it came out with unsuccessful results when it tested on unpredictable terrains.
Now, Professor Stefan Schaal from USC Viterbi has received $1.5 million for DARPA’s Learning Locomotion program.
A team of six researchers from MIT and Stanford is working on LittleDog robot, which will have a special advantage of adjusting its movements to both rough and smooth surfaces.
This design particularly aims at assisting military personnel, including automated pack-mules, when it comes to treacherous irregular rough terrains.
To grant flexibility to legs, three motors and sensors to provide capability to measure body orientation and foot/ground contact has been incorporated in the basic design.
An on board computer and internal gyroscope along with external motion-capture system monitors, create a good control on movements.
DARPA will consider the LittleDog hopefully in 2008, when it will be put to more unpredictable and unseen rough terrains.
Search and rescue operations in unknown areas and military supplies are some fields waiting to welcome this new soldier to accompany them in field.
Via: Technology
