Six-legged walking
A wide support base and coordinated leg movement can help a robot step over uneven ground.
The idea
One machine.
Two possible forms.
Morphex takes inspiration from transforming spherical hexapod robots. In its walking form, six legs provide a stable base. In its compact concept form, the legs and outer structure would fold inward.
The interesting part is how the mechanical joints, shell geometry and control software need to work together. A small change in one joint can affect the clearance and movement of the whole body.
This site documents the design ideas and learning behind the project. Concept drawings describe the intended mechanism; they should not be read as proof that every transformation feature is already complete.
Shape transformation
The design challenge is arranging legs and shell segments so they can fold into a more compact shape.
Servo coordination
Several joints must move in a planned sequence to reduce collisions and unwanted strain.
Balance and control
Walking requires sensible foot placement, stable poses and repeatable movement timing.
Mechanical packaging
Motors, wiring, battery and controller need to fit without blocking moving parts.
Future sensing
Later iterations could explore tilt sensing, obstacle detection and feedback-based correction.
Want to see how the idea is worked out?
Visit the engineering page for the mechanical and control side of the project.