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The Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan has developed a passive walking robot capable of traveling continuously under its own inertia — without exterior power. All that’s required is slight downward slope and a gentle push to get started. Wait, isn’t that the exact same idea as a slinky?
The machine’s thighs, calves and feet are all proportional in weight and length, allowing it a human-like gate without the assistance of any power source other than the downward slope’s potential energy. In fact, the design is very similar to the mechanical process that humans use for locomotion.
The walking process is so efficient that during one test last year, the machine took over 100,000 unassisted steps — 15km — over the course of 13 hours. Researchers hope to integrate these legs into future sports equipment designs and assisted-walking devices.
Terrific, I can’t begin to tell you how long I’ve been waiting for a product that can carry my golf bags and grandmother downhill equally well. [Slashdot]
“They’re techno-trousers, ex-NASA, fantastic for walkies!”
If it can do this powerless, imagine what it can do with an AA battery!
They look like animated golf clubs to me.
“I’m thinking about getting metal legs. It’s a risky operation, but it’ll be worth it”
chuckle……
about as pointless as those “robot” clapping hands, stretches the term robot a bit, im sure there’s an old wooden kids toy that does this, and some poor blighter’s gotta carry it uphill 1st so it can do its pointless little trick!!
ro·bot/ˈrōˌbät/
Noun:
A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. ((NOT REALLY THAT COMPLEX IS IT))
(esp. in science fiction) A machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions.((NO NOT REALLY UNLESS ITS 2 HUMANS IN A SCHOOL SPORTS DAY 3 LEGGED RACE!!))