Arthropod Locomotion: Engineering

Robert Full is interested in the biomechanics of arthropod movement. Arthropods move low to the ground using their legs in a tripod fashion, which is inherently stable. Their skeleton provides local control over movement. But the secret to their success is their jointed legs, which act as struts and shock absorbers.

Students see two different robots in action, each using jointed legs patterned after arthropods.