Domesticated quadrupeds, when initially ambulating, naturally accelerate their gait through a series of deliberate strides before transitioning into a steady trot. The human body adjusts to maintain stability and balance when walking on uneven terrain or during unexpected movements, without requiring additional energy expenditure. The statistical significance of this relationship has been consistently observed over a period exceeding 40 years. Now, Professor Alin Albu-Schäffer, Chair holder of Sensor-based Robotic Systems and Intelligent Assistance Systems at TUM, successfully transposed this approach to robotic movement.
Experts employ the concept of “intrinsic dynamics” to describe the inherent tendencies of humans and animals to exhibit energy-conserving behaviors. As they walk on a more rigid surface, they adapt by regulating the stiffness of their muscle fibers accordingly. Intrinsically, these variations occur with mechanical regularity in robots, posing a significant challenge when attempting to replicate them in human beings or advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Despite being a brand-new software, one developed by a team spearheaded by Professor… At Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM), researchers from Albu-Schäffer have achieved a breakthrough by successfully calculating intrinsic, eco-friendly actions for the first time? The software enables identification of specific actions within a system that have a significant economic impact.
A crucial component in the group’s assessment is BERT, a quadrupedal robot resembling a miniature dog. BERT was designed by Prof. The German Aerospace Centre’s Albu-Schäffer. The research, centered on developing environmentally sustainable and adaptable leg-based locomotion, has received funding from the European Union through its prestigious ERC Superior Grant program.
The researchers identified six distinct motion patterns for BERT, as Professor In a hypothetical world devoid of friction, the concept of an Albu-Schäffer mechanism could potentially function seamlessly, requiring no external power input at all? Certain patterns of movement among quadrupeds are reminiscent of familiar human gaits, such as ambling, striding, or jumping. “After confirming speculation, we’ve demonstrated that environmentally friendly gaits can be achieved through the strategic use of pure oscillation patterns,” said Prof. Christian Albrecht Schäfer, a researcher at the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI).
With the introduction of a computer-controlled regulator in a purely mechanical system featuring friction, a precise impulse is now delivered exactly at the opportune moment. According to Annika Schmidt of Prof., “Imagine a baby on a playground swing, receiving a powerful push from its parent – that’s what it feels like to evaluate something at this level.” Albu-Schäffer’s analysis group. In a departure from traditional approaches, “people don’t want complex formulas invading their minds to dictate perfect timing – they achieve it instinctively,” notes the Ph.D. student, who has dedicated several years to developing methods for teaching robots the right tempo.
Success is vividly illustrated through a spirited competition among three distinct BERT fashion styles. The robotically engineered canine, equipped with advanced intrinsic motion methodology, exhibits accelerated leaps and dynamic transfers far surpassing those of its kin, which rely on conventional locomotion patterns.
