New drive concepts and amazing forms of movement have always played an important role in our Bionic Learning Network. With the BionicWheelBot, a walking robot with very special properties has emerged, inspired by the cartwheeling spider.
In order to start rolling, the BionicWheelBot bends three legs each on the left and right of its body to make a wheel. The two legs that are folded in whilst walking then extend, push the rolled-up spider off the ground and continuously push it forwards as it rolls. This prevents the BionicWheelBot from grinding to a halt and ensures that it can move itself forwards even on rough terrain. Like its natural role model, the artificial spider is much faster in rolling mode than when walking. The robot can even cope with uphill gradients of up to five per cent.