Scientists have been modeling robots after animals for years, but a German research center recently took things to the next level and created a mechanical ape.
The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) built an ape-like robot that walks on its feet and knuckles, called the iStruct Demonstrator, according to Discovery News. The ape walks with a hell-to-toe step, similar to a human's gait. Most robot's "spines" are made up of a metal bar, but this robo-ape has a fully bendable backbone.
The robot is self sufficient in that it has a fully-contained battery, and doesn't need an external power source. The German robot-building team had trouble getting the iStruct demonstrator to stay balanced. They eventually solved the problem with 43 force and torque sensors, coupled with a bunch of accelerometers.
iStruct Demonstrator also boasts a distance sensor in its heel, to judge when the foot will hit the ground. It even has a temperature monitor to make sure the robotic ape doesn't overheat. The advanced technology allows the robot to move in smooth motions, and even successfully navigate upward and downward inclines.
The project was funded by Germany's Space Agency in hopes the iStruct Demonstrator, or a descendant, could be used for lunar missions. The robot would be beneficial because it could navigate and react to unique situations, unlike wheeled robots which have a very limited range of motion. The robotic ape could also lead to the development of more successful humanoid robots with the ability to walk steadily on two legs.
"The aim of the LittleApe project is to build a robot that is capable of walking adequately on two and four legs, change from a four-legged posture to a two-legged posture, has the ability to manipulate small objects, and is able to climb. Specific motion sequences require not only movements of the limb, but also of the body," stated an abstract by Daniel Kuehn of DFKI.
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