Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

All,

I said that I was bored the other week and fancied a new job. Someone suggested I take up a new hobby. I got myself some Lego mindstorms robotics kits to play with Grace with. Then tonight she came home from school with a bag of bits and a slip saying that the class were exploring forces and motion and that we should build something together to help with their learning.

Now, knowing how competitive the parents at Grace's school are, my Mrs jokingly said "you better build a rocket to launch a satellite then". Which got me thinking....

I'm going to build a passive dynamic walker with Grace- go google. I know at least a handful of the folk here like to tinker in their sheds/ garages- Kirby and Isaacs being just two, so I got to thinking maybe we could have a podiatry arena challenge to build a passive dynamic walker, film it, youtube it; may the best design win it. Kind of a "great egg race" for the biomechanically orientated podiatrist.

Here's some inspiration:

Mine will win, obviously ;)

 

Simon:

When I was visiting Penn State Biomechanics Lab doing the STJ axis cadaver research in September 2004, Steve Piazza gave me a collection of Steven Collins' videos of passive dynamic walkers from the Cornell University Human Power Lab. You can find most of them here on this website.

http://ruina.tam.cornell.edu/hplab/pdw.html

Since I'm still in Scotland, I can't send them to you now. Some of these passive dynamic walkers are quite incredible machines. Enjoy.:drinks

 

So, can I take that as an "in" from you, Kevin. I'm sure the grand-children will enjoy the entertainment of these toys.

 

Maybe in August I will have some free time again. Won't be home from Scotland until Sunday evening and then I am solidly booked in the office with patients and surgeries until the end of July. Lecturing at three seminars in June really has put me behind. However, I will be happy to judge the contest.;)

 

Yeah, take your time; see it as a marathon not a sprint. Yet, clearly my robots will be faster than yours. If you don't feel confident in being able to manufacture one of these, that's fine too; not everyone can build droids ;):D :hammer:

 

See below

 

Simon,

What a great idea.

I'd never heard of it until this thread.

I've just been online and laughed myself hollow watching the Cornell passive dynamic walker, complete with swinging arms, making its way down a slight incline.

I was laughing because the 'thing' seemed to have personality, attitude, aggressivity, interest in life, optimism and it was definitely male. I would even have assessed it as having an above average IQ. What other stuff do we pick up just from the way somebody walks?

Bill

 

And what gradient are we allowed for it to walk down?

 

Does it get a little push to start?

 

You can give it a push start. The smaller the angle of the gradient, the cooler you are- anyone can make a ball roll down a hill. Biped is obviously coolest too, but if you can't manage that try a tripod /quad. Stiff legs are fine, if you can get knees to work, you're probably a jedi. :drinks

Got to put some time in now then if your guys are getting involved.

 

May we use pets?

 

Sorry Twirly, but that's just wrong.

 

Ok, so I bought myself some lego. Got it home and had to explain it to my wife- easy enough. Had to fight the kids to use it- a bit harder. Now trying to make a two legged walking machine- it's really hard!

I'm finding the biggest problem is not enough friction between the ramp and the feet. It's too slippery. I might end up filming a bipedal passive dynamic ice-skater. Would that still count?

Maybe it could be a sub-catagory? PLease!