Posted 07.06.2012 at 5:34 pm
11 Comments
Robotic Legs
Institute of Physics
Getting a robot to walk is doable. Getting it to walk exactly like a human? Not so easy. But now we're getting there, with researchers from the University of Arizona unveiling a first-of-its-kind set of biologically accurate robot legs.
To make it possible, researchers set up a fake half-center, a simple neural network of two neurons that fire interchangeably, producing the rhythm of human walking, while sensors in the robot send feedback about its environment. Researchers believe babies might operate on a similar half-center system, even before they walk, and that a half-center might be what provides a framework for people with spinal cord injuries to re-learn how to walk.
Even though it's not able to balance itself, the resulting robot, researchers say, is as close as we've gotten to an accurate representation of human walking.
11 Comments
To comment, please Login.
Popular Tags
Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2013: American Energy Independence
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.
Popular on Popsci
Most Commented
Technology
- This Newer, Stronger 3-D Printed Gun Costs Just $25
- Thieves Stole $45 Million From ATMs Because The U.S. Uses Absurd 40-Year-Old Technology
- Autonomous X-47B Jet Fighter Makes Historic First Launch From An Aircraft Carrier
- Russia Is Building Robots To 'Neutralize' Terrorists
- How To Turn An AK-47 Into A Soup Ladle
- America's Road To Energy Independence, Part 1
- Mapping The Simpsons' Slow Descent Into Suckitude
- Iran Unveils Absurd New Stealth Drone
- High School Student Wins Hackathon With A Tool That Blocks TV Spoilers
- 7 Reasons Why 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Is A Beginner's Guide To Star Trek [Spoiler Alert]
Most Emailed
Technology
- The World's Most Expensive Weapon Just Got A Little Cheaper
- Will Google (And The US Government) Permit Google Glass To Recognize Faces On Sight?
- Big Pic: Hubble Space Telescope Captures The Ring Nebula In Astonishing Detail
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
Most Viewed
Technology
- The World's Most Expensive Weapon Just Got A Little Cheaper
- Will Google (And The US Government) Permit Google Glass To Recognize Faces On Sight?
- Big Pic: Hubble Space Telescope Captures The Ring Nebula In Astonishing Detail
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
Online Content Director: Suzanne LaBarre | Email
Senior Editor: Paul Adams | Email
Associate Editor: Dan Nosowitz | Email
Assistant Editor: Colin Lecher | Email
Assistant Editor: Rose Pastore | Email
Contributing Writers:
Kelsey D. Atherton | Email
Francie Diep | Email
Shaunacy Ferro | Email
Today on PopSci.com
Copyright © 2012 Popular Science
A Bonnier Corporation Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
While the article says this robot is making a human stride, I think the robot is making more of a human strut, lol.
bezford-im something of a robotics virgin but are scientists and inventors still designing robots using electric motors and pulleys?there is a much better obdvious method that interests me and once used would propell robotics science very quickly in the right direction,which incidentaly suits in both meanings of the term.
Im sorry to compare one project to another but Petman seemed to walk abit more lifelike than this, it was also able to balance itself even if pushed.
+1 to Baaron
---
bored? lets go mine the stars... ^^
Agreed, Wabian-2 Robot from Waseda University Japan and Petman are closer in term of human gait
Think they mean the mechanical side of things. It has movement in most the areas humans do. So its a start, this could one day be more suited as a replacement limb unit for some people if it can be smoothed out and trimmed down a bit. Also the supports seem to make the assumption that is very far away from balancing itself.
Well BezFord
It Seems that I am not the single human to design a robot without a MOTOR rather SERVO yet it does have the necessary sensors and circuitry for it's locomotion (on land, over water and in air)
Sounds Impossible: Contact me For details
E-Mail: innovatorinventor@gmail.com
maybe they should try some kind of liquid balance like the one that turns on the heat and airconditioner in an old thrmostat with sensors that send signals to move with to keep it balanced just a thought
It would appear that the powerpack required a but
enlargement job. Hopefully the robot was smart enough to
stay away from the fixa-flat superglue method ?!?!?!
bezford-like a spirit level with ionised fluid in it?a fluid with positive charged atoms that works placed back to back with a sort of algorithmic line on a panel that follows the charged atoms in the level device...it would show level bearing everywhere but in space as i think spirit levels behave differently with no atmosphere?also once it could recognise dead flat as a level it could work out any neccessary angle from that plane?
you tantalize with your methods and advancements but you dont respond?youve got me very curious?respond still to me ,many thanks...