Atlanta: Researchers have designed a new robot that has human-sized feet, and walks wearing a pair of sneakers just like humans.
According to a scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, this newly developed robot can walk on uneven terrain and not-so-smooth surfaces which makes it more energy efficient.
Christian Hubicki, a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology told media, "Unlike other bipedal robots that have flat foot, the new robot named DURUS has toe, fingers, and heel, and their combo help in imitating the human locomotion. Designing foot with such minute detailings was a daunting task, but it enabled researchers to copy human-like walk."
This humanoid robot has been designed successfully with joined efforts of the Advanced Mechanical Bipedal Experimental Robotics (AMBER) Lab in Georgia Institue of Technology and SRI International.
The humanoid robot DURUS DURUS looks like a human being and walks on two legs. The size of its legs is same as that of an average human being.
More discoveries have been done by scientists to move it in the forward direction. New algorithms have been developed which help in monitoring the movement of each part of DURUS and tries to keep the foot flat on the ground to maximise the stability and minimise the risk of falling on the ground.
The newly developed DURUS can walk easily on uneven surfaces compared to previously developed robots which only perform well on balanced surfaces and not on rugged terrain.
As per reports, for taking each step DURUS first uses its heel and makes a contact with the ground and then rolls the ball of the foor to push off from the ground.
The humanoid robot carries the same step again and again to walk like human beings.
Hubicki told media that they have tried to make the foot of the DURUS similar to the size of humans and they have also given a pair of sneakers just to increase the similarity.
To improve the performance of DURUS and increase the efficiency, researchers are working on it by giving new algorithm. The new algorithm may even have applications beyond robotics and can help in improving its design so that it may help people who need assistance to get around.
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