Communications of the ACM
Organized Chaos Gets Robots Going
Following the principle of chaos control, the autonomous robot produces regular leg movements when walking normally. In addition, it can respond to an uncontrolled chaotic movement pattern from a central pattern generator to free itself when its leg is tr
Credit: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Gottingen scientists have created a walking robot that can switch between multiple gaits depending on the surrounding environment. The robot uses a single central pattern generator, which is a tiny network consisting of two circuit elements. Using several interconnected sensors, the robot's central pattern generator analyzes the input signals and generates the appropriate gait. The connection between the sensors and the central pattern generator can be preprogrammed or learned through the robot's experience.
With further development, the robot will be equipped with a memory device which will allow it to complete movements even if certain obstacles are out of view of the sensors.
From Max Planck Society
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