Robot Dictionary


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Planar Biped

Also known as MIT Leg Lab 2D biped

Boom constrained running machine at the MIT Leg Laboratory that set an early bipedal speed record and performed the first robot somersaults.

MakerMIT Leg Laboratory
CountryUnited States
First shown1985
StatusRetired
Top speed5.9 m/s (21.2 km/h)
ActuationHydraulic actuators with pneumatic leg springs
AutonomyDecomposed hopping controller with off board computing

The Planar Biped had two telescoping legs on hip pivots, hydraulically actuated with air springs, running on a boom that held it in a vertical plane. Marc Raibert's group controlled it by treating one leg at a time as an active hopper and splitting control into hopping height, forward speed and body attitude, which let the machine switch gaits while running. Between 1985 and 1990 it ran at up to 13.1 mph, hopped over obstacles, climbed a short stairway and performed forward somersaults.

Of note

Maker: www.mit.edu

Nearby in Humanoids