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Spinning Like Spidy Crazy With OutRunner
We are totally freaked out with the OutRunner – The World’s First RC Running Robot, kinda reminds us of the Roadrunner from the Looney Tunes cartoons! The only thing missing is the “beep-beep”! Anyways, sound effects aside, this Kickstarter project is kicking some ass, thanks to the lovely videos showcasing OutRunners’ running talents. We got hold of Sebastien Cotton, Founder and CEO of Robotics Unlimited, and asked him some behind-the-scene questions.
So Sebastian – tell us what got you guys started… where did it all begin?
Sebastian – Our company, Robotics Unlimited, is a spin off of the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (in Pensacola, FL). I have been a research scientist over there for the last four years and my field of expertise is in legged robots and more specifically on how to transpose what we learn from animal’s biomechanics to robots. I’ve been leading a team of scientist and engineers towards the development of running robots.
What is the OutRunner, what is the formula “X” in here?
Sebastian – Our robot, OutRunner, emulates the gait of bipeds (humans, running birds…) by achieving the same step pattern. A lot of people are wondering if that is not just a wheel without the rim. My answer is not at all. Each leg of the robot is spring loaded with a very specific stiffness and damping, without that you’ll simply end up with some kind of chaotic bouncing motion. The mass and length distribution of each element of the robot are also of fundamental importance to obtain a stable running motion.
Interesting, tell us more please…
Sebastian – Now why are the legs spinning around an axis and no reciprocating (swinging back and forth)? Well, for two reasons:
a) A mechanism doing a reciprocating motion is very complex to build and will not be cost effective for a consumer product. Remember the goal of Robotics Unlimited is to bring robots and people hands. That means reducing their price. Right now, robots approaching the OutRunner performances are only existing in research lab and cost between hundred thousand to million dollars.
b) For energy efficiency, having a constant motion around an axis is more efficient than having to reverse direction of a motor.
Oh wow, that is a lot of innovation to catch up on! If the exciting videos didn’t tell you enough about the project, here is a quick recap. The OutRunner are biologically inspired and world’s first remotely controlled robots that can run up to 20 mph on various terrain. They have a battery life of up to 2 hours. You have a choice of two robots: Core and Performance. OutRunner Core is designed for the fun of racing and the OutRunner Performance a more powerful version laden with sensors and is advanced. For $249 you can score a DIY OutRunner Core kit and $299 a simple OutRunner Core. The OutRunner Performance starts at $799, with deliveries expected to begin by July next year. The only exception being the OutRunner Core Rush Edition – in time for the Christmas Holidays!
This project will only be funded if at least $150,000 is pledged by Sun, Jun 8 2014.
The post Spinning Like Spidy Crazy With OutRunner appeared first on SolidSmack.com.
Source: http://www.solidsmack.com/3d-cad-technology/spinning-like-spidy-crazy-outrunner/
