The Role of Compliant Elements in Two-Legged Robot’s Foot Model

Proposition of compliant foot for bipedal robot is introduced and its properties are investigated. The foot consists of four compliant elements (spring-damper) mounted to four vertices of a rectangular frame. The results of robot gait analysis using Zero Moment Point method are shown. ZMP trajectories for rigid and compliant foot are compared and conclusions are formulated. Foot compliance reduces needed for postural stabilization compensatory movements of the upper part of the body by those simplifying control methods and construction. Obtained results will be applied in real prototype of small humanoidal robot. Robot construction in which proposed foot will be applied is shortly introduced.