A novel gait generation for biped walking robots based on mechanical energy constraint

This paper proposes novel energy-based gait generation and control methods for biped robots based on an analysis of passive dynamic walking. First, we discuss the essence of dynamic walking using a passive walker on a gentle slope from the mechanical energy point of view. Second, we propose a simple and effective gait-generation method, which imitates the energy behavior in every walking cycle considering the zero-moment point condition and other factors of the active walker. The control strategy is formed by taking into account the features of mechanical energy dissipation and restoration. Following the proposed method, the robot can exhibit a natural and reasonable walk on a level ground without any gait planning and design in advance. The effectiveness of the method is examined through numerical simulations and experiments.