Penza Researchers Build Six-Legged Robot for Hard-to-Reach Areas
Researchers at Penza State University have developed a prototype six-legged robot capable of moving autonomously over rough terrain and analyzing its surroundings.
All computing is performed on board, without relying on cloud services. The robot is intended for search-and-rescue operations, equipment delivery, and inspections of oil and gas pipelines.
The six legs are arranged radially around the body, helping the robot maintain balance on uneven ground. The hexapod can step over logs and fallen branches. Its navigation system uses a three-tier control architecture incorporating GPS, cameras, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, and an inertial navigation system. The robot can currently overcome obstacles up to 10 centimeters high, with this limitation stemming from the dimensions of its body. For pipes with diameters of 300–600 millimeters, interchangeable measurement modules are planned. Future options may include magnetic mounts or suction cups.
The prototype weighs 5.5 kilograms, has 3D-printed components, and can operate autonomously for about six hours. It is currently undergoing testing, and the developers plan to add wireless data transmission.
