Acinonyx jubatus-Inspired Quadruped Robotics: Integrating Neural Oscillators for Enhanced Locomotion Control

This study presents the design, simulation, and prototype creation of a quadruped robot inspired by the Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah), specifically designed to replicate its distinctive walking, trotting, and galloping locomotion patterns. Following a detailed examination of the cheetah's skeletal muscle anatomy and biomechanics, a simplified model of the robot with 12 degrees of freedom was conducted. The mathematical transformation hierarchy model was established, and direct kinematics were simulated. A bio-inspired control approach was introduced, employing a Central Pattern Generator model based on Wilson-Cowan neural oscillators for each limb, interconnected by synaptic weights. This approach assisted in the simulation of oscillatory signals for relative phases corresponding to four distinct gaits in a system-level simulation platform. The design phase was conducted using CAD software (SolidWorks 2018), resulting in a 1:3-scale robot mirroring the cheetah's actual proportions. Movement simulations were performed in a virtual mechanics software environment, leading to the construction of a prototype measuring 35.5 cm in length, 21 cm in width, 27 cm in height (when standing), and weighing approximately 2.1 kg. The experimental validation of the prototype's limb angular positions and trajectories was achieved through the image processing of video-recorded movements, demonstrating a high correlation (0.9025 to 0.9560) in joint angular positions, except for the knee joint, where a correlation of 0.7071 was noted. This comprehensive approach from theoretical analysis to practical implementation showcases the potential of bio-inspired robotics in emulating complex biological locomotion.