🚀 go-pugleaf

In <gate.qL35NB1w165w@toz.buffalo.ny.us> cyberman@toz.buffalo.ny.us (Cyberman) writes:

>I have been reading this group for 5 months now and I acutally
>have a question.

>I would like to make a 6 legged robot.  I need to have the
>ability to ROTATE both clock wise and counter clockwise, go
>forward and reverse directions.  Any suggestions on the
>mechanisms and method of movement.  The design is to be very
>small [for a robot at least] ie 6x6 inches, another restriction
>is simplicity.  The "brain" is extremly small and cannot really
>perform sophisticated movements.  [unless thier is no
>alternative]

>        Stephen Cyberman@Toz.Buffalo.NY.US
>        Scripted at Sat  07-18-1992  22:33:29

>... "Could you continue your petty bickering? I find it most intriguing."
>--- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10
>

  Simplicity?  On a 6-legged robot?  I don't think it's possible.  A 
really crude 6-legger would need 6 motors to move the legs around one
axis (of course, I'm ignoring the two-motor variety, but that sort
of "walker" robot is pratically the same as a treaded robot)  To make
a really neat robot, you're going to want to have the legs move with
two degrees of freedom, implying 12 motors.  I suppose you could use
RC-type servo motors, but the thing is not going to be really strong
(unless you want to pay big bucks for the big servos).  

   Somehow I think I'm going to get flamed... "what?  I've got eight
3" by 4" six-leggers munching on my ankles right now!  All are powered
by watch batteries, and use a 4-bit processor!  You're an idiot"

   Seriously, a six-legger that had been stripped down to reduce it's
complexity seems like it would just not be that much fun to fiddle with.
On the other hand, I couldn't come up with any mechanism for a six 
legger with each leg having two degrees of freedom that wouldn't cost
an arm and a ... leg?  (uuupppphhh!  pun not intended)


-- 
      Dave Williams                                              My 
        dwilliam@jabba.ess.harris.com                         opinions	 
           "Huh?  What?  Could you repeat the question?"        only.