Engineers create motor-free robot that mimics dog’s gait using springs, cables

Engineers have developed a motor-free quadruped robot that mimics a dog's running motion using springs, cables, and tandems. The robot, called PAWS, utilizes four locomotion synergies inspired by biological data of dogs running. It can walk on a treadmill and adapt to speed changes without motors, displaying robust passive gaits and animal-like responses to environmental changes. The design aims to create more efficient and adaptable quadruped robots for tasks like exploration and search & rescue in complex environments.