Purdue Helps Robots Navigate Unstable Ground

Purdue University researchers are stepping in to teach robots how to navigate the swaying deck of a boat or the uncertainty of a moving walkway — enabling their practical use in more real-world situations. Watch this video to see robots find their sea legs.

“These robots are used for inspection, maintenance, disaster response, surveillance, security, and many other applications,” said Yan Gu , associate professor of mechanical engineering. “But there remains a major challenge to overcome for legged locomotion, and that is reliable operation on a moving surface.”