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The control of a legged locomotion system over uneven terrain requires a new approach to coordination. The system has a high degree of static indeterminacy and, because of the stiffness of the structural and actuation systems, has stability problems if position-velocity control is used. The problem has many similarities to that of grasping and manipulating an object in a multi-fingered hand. The stability problem is removed by controlling actuator force directly, but the necessary computations can be prohibitive. A solution is presented which is moderate in its computational requirements. It is based on an assumption of zero foot interaction forces in the horizontal plane.
Kenneth J. Waldron (Mon,) studied this question.