Humanoid robot gait generation based on limit cycle stability

Abstract

This paper presents the gait generation and mechanical design of a humanoid robot based on a limit cycle walking method-Virtual Slope Control. This method is inspired by Passive Dynamic Walking. By shortening the swing leg, the robot walking on level ground can be considered as on a virtual slope. Parallel double crank mechanisms and elastic feet are introduced to the 5 DoF robot leg, to make the heelstrike of the swing leg equivalent to the point-foot collision used in Virtual Slope Control. In practical walking, the gait is generated by connecting the two key frames in the sagittal and lateral plane with sinusoids. With the addition of leg rotational movement, the robot achieves a fast forward walking of 2.0leg/s and accomplishes omnidirectional walking favorably. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.