W1 Wheeled Quadruped: Rolls on Wheels and Strides on Legs

A Legged Robot with Wheels, But Why?

The problem with wheeled robots is that they can't go up the stairs or traverse complex terrain. You can solve this problem with a quadruped, but then you would lose the ability to zip across a path efficiently. Unless, of course, you combine the best of both worlds! Add wheels to a quadruped and we get the W1, LimX Dynamics' groundbreaking wheeled quadruped robot.

The W1 quadruped combines the agility of the legs with the speed of the wheels. On relatively flat surfaces and ramps, its wheels provide rapid, energy-efficient travel with a speed of up to 10m/s. It can also adjust its height to navigate areas with low clearance, a difficult task for traditional quadrupeds that lack wheels and may struggle to maintain forward motion while keeping a low-height configuration. When encountered with obstacles, the W1 locks its wheels and uses its legs to navigate stairs, curbs, and uneven terrain with ease.

Let's dive deeper into the other features of this incredible quadruped.

Bipedal Movement for Human-like Interaction

What makes the W1 truly amazing is its ability to stand and walk on two legs, or to glide on two wheels. This allows it to rotate on the spot, make sharp turns, navigate tight corners, and even be easily pushed or guided by a human while standing tall on its two legs.

These bipedal abilities of the W1 quadruped are particularly useful in environments like warehouses and manufacturing facilities, where space is at a premium and there are many shelves and obstacles. The W1's bipedal movement allows it to weave through narrow aisles and adapt to complex layouts with ease.

Other Features: High-Performing Actuators and Advanced Perception

As discussed above, the W1 quadruped has impressive bipedal capabilities and can traverse complex terrain. Such capabilities are possible thanks to its innovative and superior actuators. These actuators provide the W1 with the stability, efficiency, and reliability needed to handle and adapt dynamically to challenging conditions, such as traversing gravel roads or ascending slopes.

However, having powerful actuators without sensory input and smart algorithms isn't sufficient. To navigate and interact with its surroundings, the W1 needs to observe its environment, understand obstacles, and plan its movements on the fly. To achieve this, it is equipped with advanced real-time perception algorithms.

Applications Across Industries

The versatility of the W1 quadruped makes it ideal for various applications. For instance, its ability to climb stairs and navigate confined spaces makes it perfect for inspections in industrial settings, such as power plants and chemical factories. Its ability in fast wheeled locomotion makes it great for rapid response in emergency or search and rescue missions.

This hybrid approach also makes it an excellent choice for last-mile delivery where it can move fast on the roads while having the ability to climb curbs and handle rugged terrain. Additionally, for researchers and educators, it's a two-in-one platform, i.e. both a mobile robot and a legged robot, which opens up more opportunities for developing new algorithms and testing innovative robotic solutions.