What is a walker?

[Bacon Wizard]

Did its feet actually leave the ground? That makes a difference, surely?

[craig_colliass]

"I'm not sure I see your point"
I think everybody else can. this thread is about walkers not shufflers,

Again the rules

2.2
Legged Robots
Legged Robots [Walkers] can weigh up to twice the specified weight in all classes. A walker must employ moveable legs to support its weight. Each leg must have at least 2 degrees of freedom.
"Robots with rolling or sliding mechanisms will not be classified as walkers."

this one had rolling sliding mechanisms. not legs.

[ewan]

You want 1DOF walkers to get a full 100% weight bonus, correct? If that were the way the rules were changed then Whyachi style mechanisms would fall under the same category just by putting some sticks on the bottom of their feet which could be called legs

[craig_colliass]

Legs Ewan Legs

[ewan]

What is a leg in your definition then?

[james...venom]

Once there is a black and white definition I would be very interested in creating one. Ive found a design that uses 2 motors continuously rotating but if someone said it wasnt a walker would need shooting. Walkers have too many grey areas. Maybe what the roboteers need to do is send designs to the FRA for specific approval just as F1 teams send designs to the fia when the rules get a bit fuzzy. Kane would naturally need to agree to non disclosure.

[craig_colliass]

What is a leg in your definition then?

The same as every body else!

[ewan]

Craig, An example definition: "A limb or an appendage of an animal, used for locomotion or support" as far as I read it it could just be a stick or column of any undefined length... I'm not saying you don't have a particular qualification in mind for why one 1DOF mechanism is more legitimate than another but it would be useful if you could suggest an idea for a rule that covers what you're thinking of.

"Uses 2 motors continuously rotating" - so long as there were two motors per side and they changed in speed relative to one-another at times (and could be independently controlled) then that would be indicative of 2DOF, and so should qualify under the current rules. If this isn't the case then a few of us have mentioned there should be a separate allowance for 1DOF walkers which is less than a 100% bonus.

[james...venom]

the method I have uses 1 motor for forwards and backwards and 1 for turning. I think we have to remember what the disadvantage of a walker over a wheel is. Its nothing to do with motors or complex movements, yes a wheel is simpler but the main advantage is the smooth continuos movement. So as long as the leg doesnt give you a smooth continuos movement its ok. This means shufflers dont get the weight advantage because they are a hybrid of a leg form but provide the advantages that wheels give - The smooth continuos movement.

[ewan]

That's something for people to vote on I guess.

Having looked into it quite a bit for this thread I'm giving serious thought to trying a 2DOF beetleweight walker come summer.

[typhoon_driver]

If the definition is kept to two degrees of freedom then it is up to the roboteer to determine their design. It's a general statement that means that simple cam designs won't get a full 100% extra. It keeps the rule simple and allows the roboteer to make the design as simple or complex as they choose.

[Bacon Wizard]

If the definition is kept to two degrees of freedom then it is up to the roboteer to determine their design. It's a general statement that means that simple cam designs won't get a full 100% extra. It keeps the rule simple and allows the roboteer to make the design as simple or complex as they choose.

Yeah, I'm quite happy with it, tbh

[typhoon_driver]

Well I guess that's that sorted.

Got a design in my mind for one again that uses motors but should comply with the 2 degrees of freedom. Might look at making a prototype and if it works well, could even make my next feather a walker

[Bodge Job]

I personally think there should be different weight allowance for different walker types.
for example

the two servo powered walkers, are more complet and requier a lot of power so should have the 100% extra weight allowance.

Craig's robots are a complex cam linkage and have a semi walker gait so should get a 50% weight advantage as it would be needed to make it effective.

And then the meccano walker with the singal cam shaft for the legs movement is useless but yet more complex than wheels so should get 25% extra weight.

that's just what I think as there are many different walker types so should be multiple weight allowances to stop one having a huge advantage over the other


hexapod_robot_walker_servo_based_kit.jpgmeccano-walker-2.jpgrobot_crawler_insect_walker_tri_gate_alex_martin.jpg

[Bacon Wizard]

. Might look at making a prototype and if it works well, could even make my next feather a walker

YEAHH go for it!