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Mechanical horses

Mechanical horses

RE: Mechanical horses

"Do you think that it actually moved? "

No, looks like either a static rig, or (more likely) an "artist's rendering"

"How did the drive get to the rear axle?"

Can't see any drive to rear end.  Thus #1 answer above.

"Then what happens?"

It would fall over on the first step?... unless gyro-stabilized?  Nowadays it would be controlled by some kinda bit-crunching gizmo to stay up.

"Have you seen any other 4 legged machines along similar lines? "

Yeah, somebody posted a 4-legged "mule" video (with bystanders kicking it and it "trotting" to maintain balance)in ... the automotive? mechanical? forum awhile back.  It is apparently the product of a DARPA initiative.

RE: Mechanical horses

The front axle looks like a simple gearbox with quartered output cranks driving enormously complicated 'shoulder' linkages.

The rear links seem less finished than those in the front, suggesting perhaps they were in development.  There doesn't seem to be much of a backbone, and what there is, is curved.  It _could_ house a flexible shaft, but I don't see an after gearbox.  I can't quite see how exactly, but I'm thinking maybe the rear is driven passively, i.e. by being pulled along by the front and rocked from side to side.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Mechanical horses

(OP)
KENAT, ah I'd forgotten about that Big Dog thing, fantastic to see it in action.

Yes Mike, my guess was the front legs may have actually managed some sort of walking type motion, though the joints look a bit light for real work.  

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Mechanical horses

Att-atts seemed to do ok in the Star Wars movie ...  

RE: Mechanical horses

(OP)
The bit where it staggers around on the ice looks just like a new born foal. I suppose it is 'obvious' that if you have a certain cg height, and similar set of legs and joints, that the motion will be similar. But as you say, slightly freaky to see a machine reacting in such a familiar fashion.

It really needs boots!

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Mechanical horses

It must have some kind of really clever state machine inside that flips between walking and self-preservation modes.  You can see that when it's kicked, it stumbles, rights itself and then starts walking again.  There's no attempt to make progress while righting itself.

The hill climbing and hill descending modes looked distinctly different too, as did the  climbing over the bricks mode.

- Steve

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