How soon until you can use your hexapod to pick up the kids from school?
Better yet, how about using one to hike into some difficult terrain?
In the world of hexapod robots, and it is a small world, there is a new kid in town.
The Mantis robot:
Weight: around 4,200 pounds
Height: over nine foot tall
Legs for walking: six, hinged appendages
Creators: Micromagic Systems
The chief engineer at Micromagic probably could not have dreamed up a better job for himself. His fascination with machines that are capable of walking started back when he saw those giant creatures walking through the snow in the Star Wars Movie. His childhood interest in legged locomotion has grown in a big way. His Mantis took 3 years from the start of just a concept all the way to having the actual machine. It was also a very expensive project. This particular project is by no means finished. It is at a point though where it is very impressive.
The company started actually working on hexapods that walk back in 2000. They did put together a kit form that was not released to the public. There is a new kit though that they have released to the general public for purchase.
To get an idea of one of their robotic creatures in action, take a close and quick look at some of the Harry Potter movie series.
In the (goblet of fire) movie, you have to watch the back of Mad Eye Moody’s class to catch a glimpse of one of their creatures.
In the (prisoner of azkaban) movie, there is a six legged turtle looking creature in Hagrid’s hut that is one of their robots.
We will be waiting for the personal robot that can take us climbing like spider man, or creeping along the ocean floor for a sightseeing adventure!
