A vehicle comprises a body, a first leg, and a second leg. The first leg has a proximal end jointed to the body, a distal end, and a first foot located on the distal end. A first maximum working envelope is associated with the first foot, where the first working range is inscribed within a first maximum working envelope. Likewise, the second leg has a proximal end jointed to the body in-line with the first leg, a distal end, and a second foot located on the distal end. A second maximum working envelope is associated with the second foot, where the second working range is inscribed within a second maximum working envelope. The vehicle thus defines a single-track multi-legged vehicle where the first leg and the second leg are attached to the body one behind the other, substantially parallel to a major axis of motion of the vehicle.

A biped robot control methods and a biped robot using the same as well as a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: obtaining an initial distance between a centroid of a double inverted pendulum model of the biped robot and a support point of the biped robot, an initial moving speed of the centroid and an initial displacement of the centroid; calculating a measured value of a stable point of the doable inverted pendulum model based on the initial distance and the initial moving speed; calculating a control output quantity based on the initial moving speed and the measured value of the stable point; calculating a desired displacement of the centroid of the double-inverted pendulum model based on the initial moving speed, the initial displacement, and the control output quantity; and controlling the biped robot to move laterally according to the desired displacement.

A downforce system for a vehicle includes: a restrictor configured to restrict a flow of air into a region that is defined at least in part by the restrictor and a ground surface, a rim disposed on the restrictor and configured to form at least a partial seal with the ground surface; a dedicated pressure source disposed outside the restrictor and connected to the restrictor via an air flow path, the pressure source being configured to generate a pressure differential across the restrictor; and a dust and debris removal system configured to prevent dust and debris from exiting the downforce system via the air flow path. By generating a pressure differential across the restrictor, a downforce which acts on the vehicle may be generated. The downforce may result in an improved grip or traction of the vehicle, which may improve handling and safety of the vehicle.

A downforce system for a vehicle includes: a restrictor configured to restrict a flow of air into a region that is defined at least in part by the restrictor and a ground surface, a rim disposed on the restrictor and configured to form at least a partial seal with the ground surface; a dedicated pressure source disposed outside the restrictor and connected to the restrictor via an air flow path, the pressure source being configured to generate a pressure differential across the restrictor; and a dust and debris removal system configured to prevent dust and debris from exiting the downforce system via the air flow path. By generating a pressure differential across the restrictor, a downforce which acts on the vehicle may be generated. The downforce may result in an improved grip or traction of the vehicle, which may improve handling and safety of the vehicle.

A vehicle including a plurality of truck assemblies is provided. Each truck assembly includes a truck axle, a first wheel fixed to the truck axle, a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle, a motor configured to rotate the truck axle, and a clutch operatively coupled to the second wheel. The clutch is positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.

A vehicle including a plurality of truck assemblies is provided. Each truck assembly includes a truck axle, a first wheel fixed to the truck axle, a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle, a motor configured to rotate the truck axle, and a clutch operatively coupled to the second wheel. The clutch is positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.

An example method may include i) determining a first distance between a pair of feet of a robot at a first time, where the pair of feet is in contact with a ground surface; ii) determining a second distance between the pair of feet of the robot at a second time, where the pair of feet remains in contact with the ground surface from the first time to the second time; iii) comparing a difference between the determined first and second distances to a threshold difference; iv) determining that the difference between determined first and second distances exceeds the threshold difference; and v) based on the determination that the difference between the determined first and second distances exceeds the threshold difference, causing the robot to react.

A vehicle including a plurality of truck assemblies is provided. Each truck assembly includes a truck axle, a first wheel fixed to the truck axle, a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle, a motor configured to rotate the truck axle, and a clutch operatively coupled to the second wheel. The clutch is positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.

A vehicle including a plurality of truck assemblies is provided. Each truck assembly includes a truck axle, a first wheel fixed to the truck axle, a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle, a motor configured to rotate the truck axle, and a clutch operatively coupled to the second wheel. The clutch is positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.

A downforce system for a vehicle includes: a restrictor configured to restrict a flow of air into a region that is defined at least in part by the restrictor and a ground surface, a rim disposed on the restrictor and configured to form at least a partial seal with the ground surface; a dedicated pressure source disposed outside the restrictor and connected to the restrictor via an air flow path, the pressure source being configured to generate a pressure differential across the restrictor; and a dust and debris removal system configured to prevent dust and debris from exiting the downforce system via the air flow path. By generating a pressure differential across the restrictor, a downforce which acts on the vehicle may be generated. The downforce may result in an improved grip or traction of the vehicle, which may improve handling and safety of the vehicle.