Sunday, September 9, 2007

Roller-Walker robot changes modes on the go

Roller-Walker robot changes modes on the go: "

Roller-Walker-robot-3.jpg


Robots are finding new ways to get around. The four-legged Roller-Walker has a wheel at the end of each leg, allowing it to switch between its two modes of transportation on the fly — rolling and walking. As it strolls around, each wheel is positioned flat against the ground like a circular foot. When the Roller-Walker deploys its wheels, however, it uses its segmented body to propel itself forward in a graceful, swaying manner that's really a treat to behold.



Being able to switch between walking and skating helps the Roller-Walker move over flat surfaces swiftly, but still gives it options when traversing more difficult terrain. Hirose-Fukushima Robotics Lab has a few videos of the 'bot in motion.



Roller-Walker, via Technabob

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(Via SCI FI Tech Blog.)

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