First attempt at walking over rough ground for Bipedal Robot MABEL

In this experiment, we are evaluating the inherent robustness of MABEL's 'almost' nominal gait. [This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF)]

Question: How far can MABEL step down without falling? To find out, the robot goes until it falls.
She was able to handle a 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) drop off. In the end, she did not really fall. Each shin has a built in mechanical fuse that gives way when the load on the leg exceeds a threshold. This is done to avoid damage to the bearings in the hips. The experiment stopped when the fuse in MABEL's shin gave way. The resulting fall is quite spectacular, but does not damage the robot. It takes about an hour to reassemble the leg.

Note that the robot does not have a camera. It has no knowledge of the obstacles. If you compare the programmed gait to previous gaits we have used, you will note the increased swing leg height. That is the ONLY change. No reflexes have been programmed in, no additional compliance, nothing extra. Such things will come later.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Biped
• Robot
• MABEL
• Bipedal Robot
• Walking
• Rough Terrain
• Rough Ground

[OShit]

I like it. I feel bad that I laughed so hard when the leg broke.

[nikotina2003]

Very nice, but stop using Comic Sans.

[ayushin82]

@ElevenDestinys exactly. waste of time and money. simple systems like that should be tested on smaller scale.

[fabijo2]

Mean teenagers, playing tricks on a blind robot.

[revolverotacon21]

OH CRAP! first was BigDog, now this!

what's going next? Peace Walker? Metal Gear REX?

[GoThiKChrisTiaN]

that's what you get for not integrating a proper shock absorbsion system into this robot. What do you think was gonna happen? I've used mountain bikes that has better shock absorbtion systems than that! I love the acutator technique you are using. Maby if you combine the actuator technology behind these legs with a supension system built into a robot equivilant of fleet, knees, ankles and hips it won't break so easily when it stumbles. if it works for the human body it should work for this. ;)

[sadalite]

I liked it until I saw the yellow M. GO BUCKEYES. Yeah I know we suck this year but we will still run over Ann Arbor :-D

[6y298]

Didn't these guys learn anything from the 'Galactica' thing - these things are gonna eventually kill us!!!

[drcolossuss]

you got it wrong, its a new energy source. like horses in the old days. now we have robots running around in a circle to create infinite energy.

[ElevenDestinys]

Ummm.... is it just me or is the robot being both supported AND propelled by the giant rotating arm? I realize that the movement and compensatory action of the legs is rather impressive, but this thing is no where even close to walking on its own.

[igrovit]

Открытый перелом!

[mrshizbot]

OWNED!