The ability of robots to mimic humans is one of science’s most talked about issues. The rewards for reproducing human movement and actions go beyond engineering, having applications and ramifications for medical treatment, computer technology, defence, exploration and more.
A project using MapleSim physical modelling software, from Adept Scientific, at the University of Manchester, is helping to perfect the process of humanoid walking in robots. The new centre at Manchester, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Computational and Dynamic Analysis, has been working with Professor Darwin Caldwell at the Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, who has been developing a novel compliant humanoid robot (CCub) based on the previously developed humanoid robot iCub at IIT.
Part of Cicada’s work looks at walking characteristics and other locomotive actions using a hybrid model. The model uses spring/dampers to simulate ground reaction force, actuator dynamics and compliant elements to capture the robot’s full dynamic response.
The speed and success of the MapleSim-aided research means that the Cicada team will quickly move on to projects for dynamic walking with full body control and extended range of gaits.
