HEXAPOD

HEXAPOD

(WORK IN PROGRESS)

This project is in collaboration with the Performance Arts Digital Research Unit at
The Nottingham Trent University and the School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences at
The University of Sussex, supported by The Wellcome Trust.

CONCEPT & PERFORMANCE: STELARC (DRU)

ROBOT DESIGN: Dr Inman Harvey (COGS)

CHOREOGRAPHY: Dr Sophia Lycouris (DRU)

DRU DIRECTOR: Professor Barry Smith (DRU)

3D MODELLING & ANIMATION: Steve Middleton (RMIT)

Although HEXAPOD looks like an insect it will walk like a dog with dynamic locomotion. The robot's locomotion and direction will be controlled by shifting my body weight and turning my torso. Lifting one leg releases 3 mechanical legs to lift and swing forward while restraining the others. So the robot is always balanced and stable. HEXAPOD is a more flexible and

Click to view images and animation

compliant mechanism. There is no on-board computer or sensor system so the robot is in no way intelligent. It's the hybrid human-machine architecture that can effectively operate and navigate. HEXAPOD is 5 metres in leg-spread and weighs approximately 250 kgms. It is powered by a combination of electrical and pneumatic systems.