Insect-Like Robot Vehicle: Halluc II
July 30, 2007 by Lauren
The prototype of the Halluc II was unveiled a few days ago by researchers at the Chiba Institute of Technology. This swank robot vehicle is equipped with eight legs that are prepared to handle rough and rugged terrain, whether it is driving or walking. In addition to those options, the robot can move sideways, conquer obstacles in either mode, and turn around in place. It's reminiscent of something from Inspector Gadget meets Transformers, and it admittedly looks like an intensely cool toy.
That said, researchers would actually like to see this gadget helping with rescues and mobility issues for the impaired. Developers plan to have this baby in action for practical use within the next five years.
The Halluc II has three modes including insect, animal, and vehicle, depending on the terrain. Naturally, the vehicle mode uses its eight wheels to drive around. When in vehicle mode, the structure can still navigate around uneven surfaces with each of the legs moving up and down in sync with the terrain. This should provide a smooth ride because of the cab being kept level and constant.
In insect mode, the Halluc II extends its legs and walks, rather than rolling on the wheels. The legs are away from the cab in this mode, giving it an insect-reminiscent stride. Finally, the animal mode walks with the legs directly beneath the cab. Because of this, animal mode is fit for tight spaces. Throughout any maneuvering, the Halluc II is also equipped with sensors to look out for potential obstacles and keep distance. It is constantly assessing the best position for its legs and wheels.
Shunji Yamanaka aided in the design of this robotic vehicle, having worked on different gadgets ranging from furniture to transportation. “Human beings have a large number of muscles, which allows for a great
degree of freedom,” says Yamanaka. “By incorporating greater redundancy
into the vehicle’s functions, we can give it more flexibility and speed
and enable it to continue operating even when obstacles are in the way.”
The actual design of the Halluc II requires 2 motors for each leg joint [at 3 joints per leg] and 1 motor for each wheel. That adds up to a total of 56 motors for this gadget, and it seems that none of it is wasted. Check out a video of the Halluc II in action:
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