We are still in the phase of robotics where engineers try them all to try and figure out what works. I have no other explanation for the phenomenon, especially after seeing this species of robotic ibex presented by Kawasaki. A goat, I don't know what it is. However, a ride-on robot to carry goods or people, if neither needs to get to their destination quickly, of course.
Bex, an offshoot of Kawasaki's Kaleido project, has been working on bipedal humanoid robots for over 7 years. You will be tired, if last week (at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo) you presented this bizarre quadruped.
Above the bench, the robot goat is living
You will have seen it from the spectacular (and disturbing) footage of Boston Dynamics: developing a bipedal robot, agile and stable on two feet like a real human being is not an easy task. And that's why Bex was created. Kawasaki's robotic engineers were looking for a very special balance. A balance between the dexterity of a bipedal robot and the stability of a robot on wheels that avoids balance problems on difficult terrain.
The robot goat emerged. On a smooth road, Bex "kneels" by folding its four legs and becomes a sort of electric scooter that moves quickly on wheels. If the ground starts to become uneven, however, Bex stands up and walks on his articulated legs: his gait allows him to keep at least two of them planted on the ground at a time. Not bad for balance.
And the speed? Forget it
The Bex has a maximum weight capacity of 100 kilos (220 lbs), so it can comfortably carry heavy goods or people. Don't ask me why the designers felt it was important to make it look like a wild goat: if nothing else, the modularity of the quadruped allows you to change the top part.
Those who want to concentrate on transporting goods will be able to take out the goat torso: everyone else will ride “the animal” in a proud act of twenty-first century herding. Ahoy!