This biped robot uses mechanics instead of a computer brain to stay upright
Bipeds keep getting better. Instead of slow, heavy, and terrain-sensitive humanoids like ASIMO, researchers are building lightweight and agile bird-like robots, such as Cassie. The better the designs are mechanically, the less power and smarts are required to keep the robot upright. This is a virtuous cycle that’s an encouraging sign that some of these biped research projects might actually be useful someday.
The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition in Florida just unveiled its Planar Elliptical Runner (via Engadget), and this robot is all mechanics. A single motor in the middle of the robot drives the legs in an elliptical motion, and the side-to-side motion of the robot is inherently stable when running — meaning it won’t fall…
