This paper proposes novel passive-dynamic walkers formed by two cross-shaped frames and eight viscoelastic elements. Since it is a combination of two four-legged rimless wheels via viscoelastic elements, we call it viscoelastically-combined rimless wheel (VCRW). Two types of VCRWs consisting of different cross-shaped frames are introduced; one is formed by combining two Greek-cross-shaped frames (VCRW1), and the other is formed by combining two-link cross-shaped frames that can rotate freely around the central axis (VCRW2). First, we describe the model assumptions and equations of motion and collision. Second, we numerically analyze the basic gait properties of passive dynamic walking. Furthermore, we consider an activation of VCRW2 for generating a stable level gait, and discuss the significance of the study as a novel walking support device.
@article{arxiv.2604.11295,
title = {Modeling, Analysis and Activation of Planar Viscoelastically-combined Rimless Wheels},
author = {Fumihiko Asano and Yuxuan Xiang and Yanqiu Zheng and Cong Yan},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.11295},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
This is a corrected version of the IROS 2022 paper. A typographical error in Eq. (14) has been corrected