Walkers
From Combat Robot
Contents |
General
Walkers are robots that mimic the biological walking gait rather than roll on wheels. Walkers are generally given an additional weight allowance of as much as 100% above the maximum for a given weight class.
Current rule sets generally require separation of vertical and horizontal motion of the legs to qualify for 'true walker' status. This effectively requires linear actuators and some microprocessor control to mediate smooth movement. This has proved to be very restrictive and walkers have effectively disappeared from the combat robot arenas.
Shufflebots
These more restrictive rules came into being following the development of the shufflebot style drive train. Shufflebots use two or more long 'feet' on each side of the robot. Each foot is connected to a rotary cam/crankshaft at each end. The cam moves each foot in a circular path, but movement is phased differently for each foot, allowing one foot to be in contact with the arena surface while the others are lifted and moving into a position to take thir turn at propulsion. The shufflebot drivetrain proved to be relatively simple, robust, and lightweight.
The more restrictive walker rules came into play following the success of Terry Ewert's heavyweight sufflebot Son of Whyachi at BattleBots 3.0. Shufflebots are no longer considered 'true walkers'.
New Rules
The RFL rule set for 2006 moved to loosen restrictions on true walkers, restricting only "uninterrupted rolling or cam operated motion in contact with the floor, either directly or via a linkage." If continuous rotation of a drive mortor produces continuous motion in the robot, it does not qualify as a walker. Actual acceptance of a design as a 'true walker' is left to the event organizer's discretion. This same wording remains in place for the 2007 rule set.
