bionickangaroo - festo：bionickangaroo - festo.pdf

BionicKangaroo Energy-efficient jump kinematics based on a natural model 2 Natural model: the kangaroo and its unique anatomy Bionic adaptation: the technical implementation in the BionicKangaroo Recovering, storing and releasing energy based on a natural model On Australia’s coat of arms it stands for progress, whilst the spe- cial way it moves is unique in the animal world: the kangaroo. With the help of its unusually long back legs, the marsupial is able to move quickly and efficiently over terrain. Its jumping mechanism enables the kangaroo to increase its speed without using more energy in doing so. With every bounce it can store energy from the landing phase and use it again for the next jump. The Achilles tendon assumes an important function here, which is why it is particularly pronounced on the natural kangaroo. New prospects due to bionics A development team from Festo’s Bionic work spent two years recreating the jumping behaviour of the natural kanga- roo as closely as possible and learning from it. As an innovation leader for automation technology, Festo is always on the lookout for new or not yet widespread movement patterns and drive concepts. One source for new knowledge and future technologies here is nature. Technical implementation of the unique movement pattern Like its natural model, the BionicKangaroo can recover, store and retrieve t