Out Of The Gait: Robot Sets Untethered ‘Walking’ Record

The loneliness of the long-distance robot: A Cornell University robot named Ranger walked 14.3 miles in about 11 hours, setting an unofficial world record at Cornell’s Barton Hall early on July 6. A human – armed with nothing more than a standard remote control for toys – steered the untethered robot. Ranger navigated 108.5 times around the indoor track in Cornell’s Barton Hall – about 212 meters per lap, and made about 70,000 steps before it had to stop and recharge its battery. The 14.3-mile record beats the former world record set by Boston Dynamics’ BigDog, which had claimed the record at 12.8 miles.

A group of engineering students, led by Andy Ruina, Cornell professor of theoretical and applied mechanics, announced the robotic record at the Dynamic Walking 2010 meeting on July 9, in Cambridge, Mass.  Ruina leads the Biorobotics and Locomotion Laboratory at Cornell. The National Science Foundation funds this research.

Previously, students in Ruina’s lab set a record for an untethered walking robot in April 2008, when Ranger strode about 5.6 miles around the Barton Hall. Boston Dynamics’ BigDog subsequently beat that record.

One goal for robotic research is to show off the machine’s energy efficiency. Unlike other walking robots that use motors to control every movement, the Ranger appears more relaxed and in a way emulates human walking, using gravity and momentum to help swing its legs forward.

Standing still, the robot looks a bit like a tall sawhorse and its gait suggests a human on crutches, alternately swinging forward two outside legs and then two inside ones. There are no knees, but its feet can flip up – and out of the way, while it swings its legs – so that the robot can finish its step.

Ruina says that this record not only advances robotics, but helps undergraduate students learn about the mechanics of walking. The information could be applied to rehabilitation, prosthetics for humans and improving athletic performance.

Cornell University
www.cornell.edu

Animatics Corp. Publishes New Motion Systems Catalog

Animatics Corporation has published a new 145 page catalog on their expanded line of Motion Systems Products and Peripherals. This comprehensive catalog includes eight product segments fully detailing SmartMotor™ specifications, FieldBus Protocols, Brake Options, Connectivity, Peripherals, Power Supplies, Gear Heads, and Software.

Included is an expanded, dynamic fold out selection chart comparing all the different SmartMotor frame sizes and lengths. Torque curves are now presented at three different input voltages with superimposed, easy-to-read power curves to help optimize use of the increased SmartMotor power for your application.

A new section includes Application Examples illustrating the numerous SmartMotor product features and capabilities. Design guides and conversion charts make the catalog an essential application development tool.

Also featured is information on the Animatics Institute which offers in-depth training programs covering SmartTechnologies™ and Sales and Marketing strategies for Smart products and systems.

Animatics Corporation
www.animatics.com

Integrated Servo Motors

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Animatics’ Harmonic Linear Drive Series

Santa Clara, California – Animatics Corporation, through OEM Dynamics Linear Division, has expanded its product line into the Linear Actuator market with the release of the Harmonic Linear Drive Series.

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