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Distance Record Broken For a Walking Robot
Narrative Fallacy writes "The Cornell Ranger robot has set an unofficial world distance record by walking nonstop for 45 laps — a little over 9 kilometers — around the Barton Hall running track in an event to to show off the machine's energy efficiency. Unlike other walking robots that use motors to control every movement, the Ranger emulates human walking, using gravity to help swing its legs forward. The Robot alternately swings two outside legs forward and then two inside ones and although the robot has no knees, it has feet that can be tipped up and down, so that the robot pushes off with its toes, then tilts its feet upward to land on the heels as it brings its legs forward. The Robot is steered by a hobby remote control which biases the steering to one side or another by lifting one of the four feet slightly. 'We've just moved into this world of electromechanical devices, and to make something this robust is a big achievement,' said Andy Ruina, Cornell professor of theoretical and applied mechanics. 'We've learned tons about what it takes to make walking work.'"
Excellent achievement.
Of course, this is just the latest of Cornell's long standing reseach into passive dynamic walking. If anyone wants to build something like it yourself, hit the wayback machine to 1998.
It might wobble and stagger, but Cornell's headless robot is providing insights into how humans walk
J Wolfgang Goerlich
If one of these would become sentient and try to kill me, I should still be able to out-walk it, then. I just hope they don't make any better models :(
I, for one, welcome our record distance walking robots overlords.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZL7WJjNvzk
Oh, and what happened to the forms where I used to be able to sign in while making a comment? I can't anymore? Screw it.
Lots of people don't realize the inherent instability of walking. It's basically controlled/broken falling. You lift up your foot to move it and shift your center of gravity in front of your stationary foot, and start to fall forward. But your other foot comes down and stops your fall.
Running is actually an easier movement to emulate, interestingly.
This robot, and all other bipedal robots, isn't really useful. It's a horrible way to move - especially if you have wheels. But it's interesting to be able to see the dynamics of how humans walk, which might help us make better prosthetics and the like.
I have developed a truly marvelous proof of this comment, which this signature is too narrow to contain.
Good luck with that.
Can't even keep Google Vans out of our driveways.
I can beat that, I got a Vehicle that can go for miles, it runs on biofuel, that (if available) it can locate and gather itself whenever it stops, and it never needs parts and can repair minor damage itself. It is self guiding once familiarised with the route and automaticly follows roads, it automaticly detects dangerous terrain and will automaticly retreat from attackers. It can achive both reasonably fast speeds on the flat and navigate over rough and muddy terrain. It is fully recyclable and it is relatively easy to manufacture new ones from 2 existing models. It can carry up to 2 passengers and luggage, or can carry a larger amount of luggage. It can also pull another vehicle behind it and it can also work in a team to pull large vehicles. It's only drawback is it needs a human to guide it on any Journeys.
It's called a Horse.
You can also get other great vehicles in the 'Animals' range, there's a specialised desert vehicle, (Camel), off road luggage and passenger carrier (Donkey and Mule), and a compact highly adaptable model adaptable for combat, intruder detection, search and rescue, headspace analysis, and home entertainment (Dog).
What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
...before you call him an overlord?
Anyone who has ever worked around a stable will tell you that a horse is not a low maintenance vehicle.
After looking at the website and the repetitive color scheme, I understand his "sa-shay-ing" into his office.
I think it would be more efficient and less amusing to coworkers if I simply walked into my office.
How amazed would you be to suddenly find that you just forgot what I wrote and you needed to reread my post.... again.
Apparently, there is a SLIGHT difference from the "answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything" and "The Ultimate Question".
Probably because they have used robots instead of humans.
But nice to see that there is still some progress.
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
the horse maxes out at 25 miles a day.
the Pony Express rider changed horses every 10 to 15 miles - an insanely expensive proposition even in the 1850s.
Anyone who has ever worked around a stable will tell you that a horse is not a low maintenance vehicle.
Tell me about it. Finding replacement parts for a '92 Clydesdale is damn near impossible.