Tripod robot 'STriDER' - Now I know what my Martian Post-Singular Great-Great-Children will look like

The tripod STRider (Self-excited Tripedal Dynamic Experimental Robot) moves by "falling" along a set course.

From New Scientist Tech:

To take a step forwards, the robot shifts its weight onto two of its legs, allowing itself to fall forwards away from the third leg. Its body then flips upside-down and the third leg swings up between the other two just in time to catch the ground and return STriDER to a stable tripod stance. To change direction, the robot simply switches its choice of swinging leg.

Now watch the video


Pretty cool. The STriDER is being developed by the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at Virginia tech.

So why build a flipping tripod robot, other than for fond memories of martian death machines? A tripod is more stable, and although the STriDER moves strangely, the gait of its movements mimic those of a biped. That means its movement are smooth and efficient.

So, when can I get the plans for this machine? Probably when I get a 3D printer.

Check out the abstract.