Lauron III, walking robot

Lauron stands for “LAUfROboter Neuronal gesteuert” (English: “Walking Robot, Neural Controlled”).
The walking robot (the 3rd generation of which is on show) was developed in order to research statically stable walking in rough terrain. Its movements are biologically inspired, mimicking those of a stick insect. Each leg can respond semi-autonomously to impulses; the movements are coordinated at a higher level. Lauron is able to gather information about its environment and plan a path towards a given goal autonomously. While walking, the robot uses sensors to detect potential obstacles and then either walks over or around them.
Date of manufacture: 1999
Photo: Jan Braun, HNF