Robots are always interesting to keep an eye on, especially when some of them may not exactly perform as one would expect. A new biped robot, going by the name of the Planar Elliptical Runner does not use a computer brain to stay on its legs. Instead, it uses built-in mechanics to achieve this goal. This is quite refreshing to see, although it is evident the robot still needs a bit of work moving forward.
A Closer Look at the Planar Elliptical Runner
When first glancing at the Planar Elliptical Runner, one never knows whether they should be in awe or horrified. It has to be said, the robot itself looks quite creepy, yet it is is also oddly mesmerizing. That is mostly due to the way it moves while staying upright, which is entirely based on mechanics rather than a computer.
In fact, this new and terrifying robot is all about mechanics, rather than using software. This is quite refreshing in the current world of robotics development, as a lot of current projects rely on artificial intelligence or another type of software to go about their business. While there is nothing wrong with that approach, it is good to see some companies try a different engineering strategy.
To be more specific, the Planar Elliptical Runner is powered by a single motor in the middle of the machine. As the name suggests, this motor is responsible for moving the legs in an elliptical motion. Additionally, the robot can also move from side-to-side by using the same motor. More importantly, the robot is remarkably stable while moving in either direction.
There is a lot more to the Planar Elliptical Runner than initially meets the eye, though. There is also room for torsion springs, which can provide more power to the legs if they are met with an obstruction of any kind. It is a bit unclear how much force can be exerted when needed, though, although it is possible the robot will pack quite a punch.
To ensure its stability at all times, the Planar Elliptical Runner will move the opposing leg accordingly when its main leg is receiving additional power. This keeps the machine stable at all times without having to rely on software of any kind. Not having a CPU inside the machine will also improve its longevity, barring any major mechanical failures of the parts needed to operate the machine itself.
On the technical side of things, the Planar Elliptical Runner is capable of achieving speeds of up to 10 miles per hour. A future version may double or even triple that speed, though. For now, the robot will only run with glass walls on either side of it to ensure it remains stable, although that is only a temporary measure put in place by the engineers.
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