01303nas a2200145 4500008003900000245003700039210003500076260001700111300000900128490000800137520094900145100001601094700001301110856003401123 2007 d00aWalking: technology and biology.0 aWalking technology and biology cJan 15, 2007 a18500 v3653 a
If all the signs are to be believed, then the twenty-first century will technologically be characterized by machine walking and its relevant products, which possess all chances to become real bulk goods in the course of the next decades. With several university institutes and with Honda and Sony from the industrial side, Japan is today and without any doubt the leading nation in research and development of walking machines. The US and Europe follow at some distance. Walking machines will influence all areas of daily and industrial life and, with the fast evolution of artificial intelligence, will become a real partner of human beings. All relevant technologies are highly interdisciplinary, they will push the future technologies of all technical fields. The special issue on this topic gives a selection of walking machine research and development including some aspects from biology.