Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot
Published on: June 10, 2020
Evolving locomotion for a 12-DOF quadruped robot in simulated environments
Gordon Klaus1, Kyrre Glette, Mats Høvin
1University of Oslo, Department of Informatics, Ole-Johan Dahls Hus, Gaustadallen 23 B, N-0373 Oslo, Norway. gordonk@ifi.uio.no
Abstract:
We demonstrate the power of evolutionary robotics (ER) by comparing to a more traditional approach its performance and cost on the task of simulated robot locomotion. A novel quadruped robot is introduced, the legs of which - each having three non-coplanar degrees of freedom - are very maneuverable. Using a simplistic control architecture and a physics simulation of the robot, gaits are designed both by hand and using a highly parallel evolutionary algorithm (EA). It is found that the EA produces, in a small fraction of the time that takes to design by hand, gaits that travel at two to four times the speed of the hand-designed one. The flexibility of this approach is demonstrated by applying it across a range of differently configured simulators.
Related Concept Videos
One-Degree-of-Freedom System
A one-degree-of-freedom system is defined by an independent variable that determines its state and behavior. One example of a one-degree-of-freedom system is a simple harmonic oscillator, such as a...
Three-Dimensional Force System:Problem Solving
To solve a three-dimensional force system, first resolve each force into its respective scalar components. Do this using...
Two-Dimensional Force System: Problem Solving
The first step to solving a two-dimensional force system problem is to draw a free-body diagram of the object under consideration. This diagram helps identify all the external forces acting on the object, including their...
Rolling Resistance: Problem Solving
Rigid Body Equilibrium Problems - II
Consider two children sitting on a seesaw, which has negligible mass. The first child has a mass (m1) of 26 kg and sits at point A, which is 1.6 meters (r1) from the pivot point B; the second child has a mass (m2) of 32 kg and sits at point C. How far from the pivot point B should the second child sit (r2) to balance the seesaw?
Rigid Body Equilibrium Problems - I
