A ROBOT that combines the advantages of jointed legs and wheels to negotiate uneven ground has been developed by engineers at the Helsinki University of Technology, Finland. The WorkPartner surprised visitors at the Industrie 2004 exhibition in Paris, France, last month with its novel motion.
Designed for outdoor work, the buggy-like robot has four legs, each of which ends in a motorised wheel. Each leg is jointed at “hip” and “knee”, and the legs can move independently of each other. On even ground, the robot rolls forward on its motorised wheels. But when the ground becomes uneven or too loose…
