Quadruped Robots: What Are They And What Do They Do?
“The robot locomotion system is an essential characteristic of mobile design, and it depends not only on working space but also on a technical measure like maneuverability, controllability, terrain condition, efficiency, and stability,” Ain Shams Engineering Journal.
Central to a robot’s function is its design. This includes the build’s locomotion system, a fundamental aspect which can impact performance across various conditions. This is more than just navigation—this is a robot’s adaptability to terrain, energy efficiency, and stability. Let’s zoom in on quadruped robots and explore how the build makes an impact in these aspects.
Quadruped robots are designed with animal-like mobility in mind. With four legs and the ability to travel through various terrain, the quadruped robot can walk, run, and perform various movements with stability and precision even while carrying heavy loads.
Some may have first seen this type of build when Boston Dynamic’s ‘Spot’ entered the landscape. However, another robot by the name of “Phony Pony,” developed in Southern California in 1966, takes the title of the first autonomous quadruped created in the United States. The robot had two identical rotary joints, capable of producing several gait patterns including trotting, walking, and even crawling at slow speeds.
So, what’s the benefit of four legs? According to researchers published in the Ain Shams Engineering Journal, “Though wheeled and tracked robots can work in plane terrain, most of them couldn’t work in cluttered terrain, complex and hazardous environments. The legged robot has more potential to roam almost all the earth surfaces in different terrains, just like the human and an animal.” They continue, stating that, “The quadruped robots are the best choice among all legged robots related to mobility and stability of locomotion.”
Quadruped Robots in Real Life
Search & Rescue: Did you know that Boston Dynamic’s ‘Spot’ robot has been deployed in dangerous situations to complete rescue tasks? This includes a time in April 2023 when a parking garage collapsed in Manhattan. New York City firefighters were able to pull victims from the wreckage, but the department deemed the facility “very unstable.” Searching for any additional wounded people could have put firefighters at great risk. To overcome this challenge, the FDNY sent in Spot to walk the site and record video footage, which was then streamed back to fire officials in real time, letting them know if additional rescue was needed.
Spot Quadruped Photo Source: Boston Dynamics
Space Exploration: According to aerospace and mechanical engineering PhD. student, John Nganga of Notre Dame, quadruped robots have the potential to transform space exploration including on Mars and the moon. In 2021, he was awarded a 3-year NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity (NSTGRO) to solve two major challenges — 1) wildly varied terrain, including craters, sand, ice, and even mountains, and 2) lower gravity, which reduces traction and makes it difficult to push off from the ground. According to him and his research partner, “… we envision that legged robots, more so quadrupeds, will be at the astronaut’s side to help setup habitable colonies on other worlds.”
On that same note, another notable quadruped robot, ‘SpaceBok,’ was developed to explore the potential of dynamic walking in low-gravity environments. Although not space-rated, SpaceBok has been used in various simulated environments to study locomotion. In simulated lunar gravity, it demonstrated the ability to hop up to 2 meters high, showcasing how quadruped robots might efficiently navigate off-Earth terrains.
Team leader and PhD student Hendrik Kolvenbach explained that this “…for the lower gravity environments of the Moon, Mars or asteroids, jumping off the ground like this turns out to be a very efficient way to get around.”
Most of the robots recent testing has occurred in the Netherlands and other ESA-aligned facilities, where it continues to inform future robotic mobility systems for space missions.
SpaceBok Quadruped Photo Source: The European Space Agency
Construction Inspection: In construction, quadruped robots excel at surveying sites and generating 3D maps. Their ability to move across uneven ground and navigate tight spaces allows them to capture data with precision. Being agile and sensory equipped enables them to navigate complex environments, collect valuable data, and perform safety inspections.
According to researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, “Quadruped robots offer stability and mobility in dynamic construction environments, potentially enhancing operational efficiency and worker safety.”
The Future of Quadruped Robots & Education
As quadrupeds continue to evolve, it opens incredible opportunities not just for industry and exploration, but for education as well. Students today have the chance to engage with robotics in a way that mirrors real-world innovation. Quadruped robots, like the one found in the UGOT robotics kit, serve as more than just classroom projects; they’re entry points into understanding mechanical design, programming logic, and the kind of problem-solving used by leading engineers and scientists around the world.
By exploring concepts like locomotion, terrain adaptability, and stability, students can begin to grasp the same engineering principles that guide robotics in disaster zones, on construction sites, and even in space.
The future of quadrupeds is just as dynamic as their movement. Whether walking into hazardous areas, hopping across lunar craters, or inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, these robots represent more than innovation, they represent possibility.
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