HexEx
The Hexapod Experiment

A six legged insectoid about 15" long, 12" wide, and 8" high, with about 2" of ground clearence. It has three standard servos driving the legs. Controlled by a 68HC11 microcontroller on a BotBoard 2. Each foot has a switch to sense when it touches the ground.


Another view of HexEx.

This thing is unstable to the point of being useless. As long, wide, and low as it is, it still flips over on any uneven surface. After experimenting with it for a while I decided a legged machine needs better leg articulation, good sensors, and a mind (or very good software) to decide where to step.


The leg feeler switch

One feature that did work very well is the leg feeler switch pictured above. As it takes a step the front leg that is up acts as feeler to detect obstacles as it sweeps forward.




ERC Hexex LC Mutant Speedy Theseus Thumper T3
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Copyright 2002
Gary Teachout