
Form Factor - Bipeds and Wheels
Two-legged (or bipedal) robots can go anywhere a person could, but maybe is too dangerous to go. A robot with legs could run up the steps of a burning building, break down a door, and carry out anybody inside. Having just two legs also allows you to stand tall while taking up little floor space, something called "form factor." Further, teaching robots walk and run actually teaches us a lot about how humans move. We can use the science and engineering of legged robotics to help the disabled by building prosthetic legs and exoskeletons that allow to people walk again. Finally, bipedal robotics is a really interesting problem for me to work on. How can people do something so complicated for robots and make it look so easy? I want to find out!
