Section: Application Domains

Walking robots

As compared to rolling robots, the walking ones – for example hexapods – possess definite advantages whenever the ground is not flat or free: clearing obstacles is easier, holding on the ground is lighter, adaptivity is improved. However, if the working environment of the system is adapted to man, the biped technology must be preferred, to preserve good displacement abilities without modifying the environment. This explains the interest displayed by the international community in robotics toward humanoid systems, whose aim is to back man in some of his activities, professional or others. For example, a certain form of help at home to disabled persons could be done by biped robots, as they are able to move without any special adaptation of the environment.