In my
first attempt at a walker I tried to imitate a small bug. I planned
for six to eight legs, that set the feet on the ground, and pushed
them back backwards. The result was very complex. So much so that
most of my free gears (those not used in other models) were used up
with only two legs. The design changed to only include three legs.
To move, first the legs are rotated forward. The hinge to
do this is about 10 knobs from the end of the legs. As they are
rotated forward, the legs lower to the ground. At the forward most
point they lift the walker off the ground.
Next the legs are rotated toward the rear, which propels
the robot forward. At the rear most point they legs put the robot
on the ground, and the cycle is repeated.
The major accomplishment behind this model was the transfer
of the rotary power from one Lego motor to the motion of four different
hinges. The motor had to drive the two legs backwards and forwards,
and the feet up and down, at the correct speed for the robot to
function at all. This proved to be quite a challenge.
In the end, the complexity of the gearing proved to be his
down fall. Getting all the gears to work at the correct time, could
prove to be almost impossible, and sometimes more time was spent
tweaking his legs that watching him walk.
