SCORPION
A Biomimetic Walking Robot
Technical Details
Size: | 60 x 40 x 30 (L/W/H in cm) in M-shape position |
Weight: | 10,5 kg including a set of batteries |
Power supply: |
2 x 14,4V 3,0Ah NiMH batteries
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Speed: | max: ½ body length/sec = 30cm/sec |
Actuation/ Engine: |
8 (legs) x 3 (joints) = 24 motors
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Sensors: |
24 x absolute angle transmitters,
24 x current sensors,
8 x pressure sensors in the feet,
Tilt/Roll inclinometers,
Infrared-distance sensor in the front (80cm),
CCD-Camera (0,005 Lux) with wireless transmission
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Organisational Details |
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Application Field: | Space Robotics |
This system is not actively used anymore. |
System description
The SCORPION is an eight-legged walking robot for hazardous outdoor-terrain. It can go to where other robots get into trouble. It uses a biomimetic control concept which allows a very flexible, robust walking behavior. The walking gaits of the SCORPION robot are based on research on walking patterns of real scorpions.
The SCORPION can be controlled in an intuitive way with a GUI and an optional voice control. The developed models of the biological motor systems enable the robot to adapt autonomously to a multitude of different terrains and obstacles.
Possible future fields of application include exploration of hazardous environments, e.g. in SAR missions. Currently an amphibious version of the SCORPION is under development. A copy of the SCORPION is in use at the NASA Ames Research Center to evaluate the advantages of legged systems for extraterrestrial missions.
Videos
SCORPION: Trouble-free running on different subsoils
8-legged walking robot for hazardous outdoor-terrain which uses a biomimetic control concept allowing a very flexible, robust walking behavior
Lunares: Reconfigurable robots for extraterrestrial exploration
Reconfigurable Robots for Extraterrestrial Exploration