The deformation of the bottom of the TRACEPaw foot provides details about what’s being stepped on
Jørgen Anker Olsen
Robots could negotiate awkward terrain surefootedly because of squidgy paws containing cameras.
Tejal Barnwal on the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Jørgen Anker Olsen on the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and their colleagues have developed what they name a Terrain Recognition and Contact Force Estimation Paw (TRACEPaw).
The backside a part of the foot is half a silicone ball, which deforms because the robotic walks. Inside the ball, a digital camera takes…