Robot mechanisms for locomotion, manipulation, actuation, and physical interaction. Excludes: Sensor operation or the control algorithm when that is the actual question.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
Which toothed wheel drives a robot tank track?
The motor turns the sprocket teeth inside the track links, while idlers and rollers only guide and support the belt.
Why do wide tracks reduce a robot's pressure on soft ground?
Lower ground pressure helps on mud or snow, but very soft soil can still trap a tracked vehicle.
Which quadruped gait moves both legs on the same side together?
Camels pace naturally by swinging same-side legs together, a swaying pattern some four-legged robots copy on flat ground.
Which quadruped gait moves diagonal pairs of legs together?
Horses trot for steady speed, and four-legged robots copy the pattern because diagonal support keeps the body balanced.
How can a tracked robot turn in place without moving its center forward?
Stopping one track instead swings the robot around that side, producing a wider turn than equal-speed counter-rotation.
Which slow quadruped gait keeps at least three feet on the ground?
For static balance on level ground, the robot keeps its center of mass above the area enclosed by its supporting feet.
Which four-beat horse gait can quadruped robots imitate for high-speed running?
In a left-lead gallop, the left front foot lands last; in a right-lead gallop, the right front foot lands last.
Why do tracked robots scuff grass when turning sharply?
Skid-steer turns demand extra motor torque because the ground resists the tracks' sideways sliding.
In which units do makers commonly rate hobby servo actuator torque?
Torque as force times arm length shows how heavy a load a servo can hold at a set distance from its shaft.
What makes wheeled odometry unreliable on slippery floors?
Spinning wheels rack up rotation counts without moving the robot, so the position estimate drifts past the true location.