Ghost Robotics, LLC, a developer of direct-drive (gearless) and proprioceptive robotics technologies, has launched its first patent-pending direct-drive legged robot platform, Ghost Minitaur.
Ghost Minitaur is a patent-pending medium-sized legged robot designed to be highly adept at perceiving tactile sensations. Its high-torque motors, motor controllers and specialized leg design allow this machine to run and jump over difficult terrain while actively balancing. It can also climb fences and rapidly reorient from falls. High-speed and high-resolution encoders let the robot see and feel the ground through its motors so it can adapt quickly to its environment.
A key application includes deployment of Ghost Minitaur as an autonomous sensor vehicle for public safety, military, exploration, mining, agricultural and hazardous environment operation. The robot can also be used in advanced gait R&D and can be programmed for a range of gaits (bounding, crabbing, walking, trotting), climbing stairs and fences and even opening doors.
Founded by University of Pennsylvania PhD candidates, Avik De and Gavin Kenneally, Ghost Robotics aims to build next-generation legged robots that are superior to wheeled and tracked autonomous vehicles in many field applications. According to its founders, the company’s underlying research and intellectual property has additional applications in surgery, lab operations, healthcare and advanced gait research.
“We are extremely excited to be launching our first commercial robot platform, Ghost Minitaur,” said Kenneally.
“This has been a long journey in the conceptualization and development of the robot, and we see many applications for the platform ahead and underlying technology," added De.
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