Gait definition and successive gait-transition method based on energy consumption for a quadruped

Abstract

In nature, to realize the smooth motion for different speeds, the continuous gait transition is usually required for the quadrupeds. Thus, the gait simulation of quadrupeds is a requisite step to obtain the stable and energy-efficient gait for the walking machines. In this paper, the definitions of the two gait parameters, phasic difference and duty factor are presented, which can determine the gait of the quadrupeds. Then, several typical gaits of the quadrupeds are analyzed such that the seven standard gaits and corresponding parameters are summarized. Additionally, the variance law of the two parameters, which determine the relationship of gait transition, is analyzed. Furthermore, the quadruped gait derivative spectrum (QGDS) is proposed and the gait definition of the quadrupeds is presented. To minimize the power consumption, the choice criterion of gait, the optimal gait in terms of the motion speed, duty factory, and power consumption for the walking machines, is developed. Last, the continuous variance of the gait is implemented by the simulation of the gait transition from walk to trot, which evaluate the choice criterion and transition of gait.