SATNET-AU.NET - DTT - TV

Program Publicity
New Series
PROTOTYPE THIS - Episode 7
Saturday April 4 at 7.30pm

On Saturday April 4 at 7.30pm, the Prototype This inventors are at it again. In episode four, the engineers attempt to create the first real ‘All Terrain Vehicle’ (ATV) that will use legs instead of wheels.

After attempting to climb through several different terrains in a regular ATV, the inventors realise that the wheels are just not sturdy enough and cannot negotiate the many obstacles they come across in the wilderness.

The team decides to brainstorm to come up with some idea of how the legs could be designed so that they could both withstand the weight of the aluminum chassis and the driver of the machine. After hours of grueling tests of different materials, there was only one material that could support the weight while still allowing the vehicle to ‘walk’ over any surface - Aeronautic carbon fiber.

Just when things seemed to be going smoothly for the Prototype this team, the issue of simultaneous motor and leg engineering began to surface. In order for the legs to work in sync with the high voltage motor, they must work in an Alternating Tripod Gait. An ATG is a system in which a leg is always touching the ground to maintain stability during motion. The system was developed by researchers after studying the way insects use their six legs to maneuver around the different surfaces on the earth.

Once the legs were complete, the chassis was placed on top with equal weight distribution on each leg. By combining the several complex motor circuit boards with both the legs and the chassis, the robotic automobile named “Rex” was ready for testing.

Cow farms in Northern California seemed to be the perfect testing ground for the new prototype. Surrounded by hills, tall grass, rocks and sand, the only thing left to do was to strap a seatbelt across the chest of the driver and hope for the best.

For more information, please contact Shauna Moore shauna.moore@sbs.com.au 02 9430 3709