Last week I was pariticapint in a National Science Foundation review of ongoing robotics research in Japan. While touring through the labs at Waseda University, we glimpsed a device through an open lab doorway, and just had to find out more.
This is not the most elegant, or the most advanced, walking machine I have ever seen. But it is the very first one I have come across that is specifically designed to carry a person! Take a look at this:
http://www.takanishi.mech.waseda.ac...._16/index.html (and check out the videos!). The machine was very impressive (and loud!) as it walked around. The legs are basically inverted Stewart Platforms, with force-torque sensors and uni-directional compliance at the ankle. They are currently conducting a series of performance tests with the unit outdoors in urban settings (sidewalks, street curbs, etc.).
So will they be able to convince Dean to give up on wheels and go for legs? Is this the next generation Segway?!!
-dave