01.07.2008
Run, Lola, Run
Stick insects are sluggish animals that live in bushes and trees. In science however, they are being used as a model for constructing robots designed to walk on two legs like a human being. JOHNNIE is a robot that can walk at speeds of over 2 kph. But now the researchers have a new goal: LOLA. And LOLA should even be able to run. But before that can happen there is plenty of work to do....
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Run, Lola, Run: Episode 12, 01/07/2008
When Will LOLA Run?
LOLA does run, but unfortunately only on the computer. To make LOLA walk, the scientists have studied stick insects. Analogue to the insects' nervous system, the researchers want to fit LOLA with an artificial neural network. To walk or run quickly and with stability, LOLA needs toes. But the robot’s development won’t end there. Perhaps one day LOLA will even be able to see....
24.06.2008
55 Kilos "Live Weight"
LOLA is exactly 1.8 metres tall and 55 kilos in weight. Mechanical engineer Sebastian Lohmeier built LOLA as a stable and lightweight structure. Its lower leg is the largest part of this.
17.06.2008
Simulated Training
JOHNNIE is still one step ahead of LOLA: while the walking robot can already move in the real world, LOLA still only moves in a virtual one. But this is soon going to change....
10.06.2008
A Foot for LOLA
JOHNNIE the walking robot is too slow. So his successor LOLA is getting new feet with a moveable toe joint. JOHNNIE’s stiff robot shoes are out.
03.06.2008
The Laptop Walker
He moves forwards, but the Jena Walker is too slow and is suspended in a carrying frame. But LOLA is supposed to walk. But the transition to "real" walking poses new challenges...
27.05.2008
The Jena Walker
How do human beings run, and how do they walk? Scientists from the walking lab in Jena have been studying this question for over four years. The team is currently working on the Jena Walker...
20.05.2008
Walking for LOLA
The stick insect gets a break today: it's the human’s turn on the treadmill. The researchers from the University of Jena want to get a handle on how humans walk.
13.05.2008
Crossing Gaps
Stick insects can get across gaps as wide as the length of the animals themselves. A computer simulation developed from their movements will be used to help LOLA learn to cross gaps.
06.05.2008
Sharp Curves
Today's topic is walking around bends. To study this, the stick insect is placed on the slippery plate, so that it can walk without resistance. But what is the stick insect's technique for walking along curved paths?
29.04.2008
On the Treadmill
It walks and walks and walks, but how? In order not to stumble, the stick insect has to optimally coordinate its 6 legs and 18 joints. But how can scientists investigate its locomotor system?
22.04.2008
Animal Stars
Stick insects are the unsung heroes of walking researchers. They have upper legs, lower legs and feet just like humans.
15.04.2008
JOHNNIE and LOLA
JOHNNIE is still learning. Running, skipping and jumping, which seems mere child's play to humans, presents huge challenges to the walking robot. How does human locomotion work?2008
The first series: The research diaries and interesting background information on the projects and the researchers themselves. Find out about humanoid robots, sinking coasts, and an animal invasion.-
An Animal Invasion
The "killer shrimp" & Co.: Is globalisation a threat to Lake Constance? -
The City of 5 Million
Are megacities mankind's future? How do people live and survive in them? -
Blue Wonder
Getting to the bottom of the deep blue sea: The role of the oceans. -
Textile Concrete
How can you make something heavy light? Textile concrete opens up new prospects. -
Sinking Coasts
Around 10,000 years ago, people lived where now there are crashing waves. -
The Human Machine
Can a robot learn how to see, hear or feel from humans? -
Rainforest
Between Nature and exploi- tation: Is it possible to re- concile the needs of man- kind with those of nature? -
Temple Restoration
Stone doesn't last forever. Can the temple complex of Angkor still be rescued? -
Run, Lola, Run
Seeking the perfect two-legged robot. -
Giant Dinosaurs
Why did the sauropods grow to be the largest land-dwelling creatures that ever lived?
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