New Track-Wheels for Robots

Tracked, stair-climbing robots are becoming more sure-footed, thanks to advances in trackwheel mechanics. American Standard Robotics Inc., Saint Petersburg, Fla., When you happen upon a suspicious package sitting on the side of an Iraqi road, a remotely operated tracked vehicle can come in handy. That's one reason these devices have captured the imagination of defense contractors and robotics students alike. But it's tricky to design robots able to ascend and descend stairs and slopes, cross ditches, surmount obstacles, and generally operate over rough terrain, all while moving forward or backward, or turning. On this score, the state-of-the-art for mobile robot mechanics is still advancing. The latest improvement comes from Andrew Goldenberg, a professor at the University of Toronto and director of the University's Robotics and Automation Lab. Goldenberg says one advantage of his design is that it can flip over and perform as well in that orientation, if need be. His design also