Walking Machines: An Introduction to Legged RobotsThe first chapter of this book traces the history of the development of walking machines from the original ideas of man-amplifiers and military rough-ground transport to today's diverse academic and industrial research and development projects. It concludes with a brief account of research on other unusual methods of locomotion. The heart of the book is the next three chapters on the theory and engineering of legged robots. Chapter 2 presents the basics of land loco motion, going on to consider the energetics of legged movement and the description and classification of gaits. Chapter 3, dealing with the mechanics of legged vehicles, goes into leg number and arrangement, and discusses mechanical design and actuation methods. Chapter 4 deals with analysis and control, describing the aims of control theory and the methods of modelling and control which have been used for both highly dynamic robots and multi-legged machines. Having dealt with the theory of control it is necessary to discuss the computing system on which control is to be implemented. This is done in Chapter 5, which covers architectures, sensing, algorithms and pro gramming languages. Chapter 6 brings together the threads of the theory and engineering discussed in earlier chapters and summarizes the current walking machine research projects. Finally, the applications, both actual and potential, of legged locomotion are described. Introduction Research into legged machines is expanding rapidly. There are several reasons why this is happening at this particular time. |
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achieved actuators adaptation advantages allow alternating angle animals applications approach arrangement balance bipeds body built calculated centre Chapter completely component cycle described direction discussed distance drive dynamics effect Electric energy engineering equations example feet foot force forward four front function gait geometry given ground height hexapod horizontal hydraulic important interest joint knee length less limited linkage load locomotion mass measure mechanical methods mobile motion motor move movement obstacles particular phase pitch plane pneumatic position possible present problem produce propulsion pump quadruped range reference relative resistance robot roll running sensing servo shown in Figure shows side single slope soil specified speed stability statically step stride stroke structure surface torque tracks trajectory turn usually valves variable vehicle vertical walking machines wheels