Cybernetic Walker

Cybernetic Walker. . , The Cybernetic Walking Machine was one of many experimental projects of the US Army. Its four legs were able to support up to 500 pounds of cargo over extremely difficult terrain, inaccessible to any other surface to any other surface traveling vehicle. General Electric was commissioned to design the vehicle in 1966, and delivered the walking machine in August 1970. It stood 11 feet tall, walked at a speed of 5 mph, and was powerful enough to haul a jeep out of a mud hole. It could also climb over large obstacles, balance on its diagonal legs, and push 1,000 pounds across a concrete floor.

The operator balanced and coordinated the legs through controls attached to his hands and feet. This coupling between man and machine was so good that the operator could rely on his own sense of balance to accurately and easily maneuver the vehicle. Because it was not very difficult to operate, this became the first successful walking machine capable of random motions. It took approximately five hours of practice for an operator to walk the rig forward and backward, turn around, and balance on two diagonal legs.

In theory, the walking machine should have been a great tool, but never made it out of the testing phase. A large flaw was that it used 50 gallons of oil per minute, requiring it to be attached to hydraulic power lines at all times. Army funding was soon cut for this project, but the idea of a walking machine would continue in designs created for the logging industry and for Hollywood films.