Scientists discover how to walk by falling . . .

SegwayUtah · 02-17-2005, 05:13 PM

Hmm. These scientists discovered that it makes a lot of sense to have a robot "walk" by falling, catching itself, and then falling again, etc.

There's a good chance that this is how humans move about too

I love this quote in the article:
"Other robots, no matter how smooth they are in control, work to stand first, then base motions on top of that," said Cornell researcher Andy Ruina. "The robots we have here are based on falling, catching yourself and falling again."

Cornell's robot equals human efficiency because it uses energy only to push off, and then gravity brings the foot down, while other robots needlessly use energy to perform all aspects of their effort.

"The Cornell team's passive mechanism helps greatly reduce the power requirement," said Junku Yuh, an NSF expert on intelligent systems. "Their work is very innovative."

---

They could have gotten a really big head-start if they'd have just consulted Segway's engineers

Actually, they still have a long long way to go to catch up in many respects.

The Segway HT seems to be leading the charge for mobility in the future.

Chris

SegwayUtah · 02-17-2005, 05:15 PM

Here's the article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6975006/

Chris

SegwayBill · 02-17-2005, 07:47 PM

It is like that riding a unicycle, you are constantly chasing a fall. Your speed is controled by how much you lean. Sound familar?

Bill

02-17-2005, 05:13 PM	#1
SegwayUtah Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,644	Scientists discover how to walk by falling . . . Hmm. These scientists discovered that it makes a lot of sense to have a robot "walk" by falling, catching itself, and then falling again, etc. There's a good chance that this is how humans move about too I love this quote in the article: "Other robots, no matter how smooth they are in control, work to stand first, then base motions on top of that," said Cornell researcher Andy Ruina. "The robots we have here are based on falling, catching yourself and falling again." Cornell's robot equals human efficiency because it uses energy only to push off, and then gravity brings the foot down, while other robots needlessly use energy to perform all aspects of their effort. "The Cornell team's passive mechanism helps greatly reduce the power requirement," said Junku Yuh, an NSF expert on intelligent systems. "Their work is very innovative." --- They could have gotten a really big head-start if they'd have just consulted Segway's engineers Actually, they still have a long long way to go to catch up in many respects. The Segway HT seems to be leading the charge for mobility in the future. Chris

02-17-2005, 05:15 PM	#2
SegwayUtah Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,644	Here's the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6975006/ Chris

02-17-2005, 07:47 PM	#3
SegwayBill Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 858	It is like that riding a unicycle, you are constantly chasing a fall. Your speed is controled by how much you lean. Sound familar? Bill

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