96 Of all types of bio-inspired uncrewed systems around the world, legged UGVs, and particularly quadrupeds, have made the greatest strides. Their ability to traverse stairs and challenging terrain, and push doors or gates open, makes them highly effective in many indoor and outdoor environments where UAVs and wheeled UGVs struggle. However, present limitations of battery energy density and electric-motor efficiency cause legged robots a few specific weaknesses in comparison with wheeled robots. Namely, the latter outperforms the former in movement speed, turning speed and energy efficiency, particularly on flat terrain. As of writing, most industries and businesses using legged robots are deploying them in predominantly flat areas, such as power stations, hydrocarbon facilities, factories and foundries. Hence, wheeled robots could work in such places if doors, stairs and small ground obstacles could be circumvented. Understanding how legs and wheels overcome each others’ minor weaknesses inspired Swiss-Mile’s founders to consider combining the best of both worlds: putting wheels on a legged robot. Such a UGV could walk up and down stairs, and cross uneven or cluttered ground, while also energy efficiently driving through the flat corridors and floorspaces that compose 90% of the areas they operate in. Rory Jackson investigates a robot that can walk, roll, stand and grab as needed for highly proficient work on site, fulfilling observation, monitoring and security roles Swiss watchers August/September 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Swiss-Mile’s Milo is a wheeled- and legged UGV that switches between travel modes to double its operating time (Image courtesy of Swiss-Mile, enabled by Halter AG)
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