Abstract
Biological inspired robotics is an area experiencing an increasing research and development. In spite of all the recent engineering advances, robots still lack capabilities with respect to agility, adaptability, intelligent sensing, fault-tolerance, stealth, and utilization of in-situ resources for power when compared to biological organisms. The general premise of bio-inspired engineering is to distill the principles incorporated in successful, nature-tested mechanisms of selected features and functional behaviors that can be captured through biomechatronic designs and minimalist operation principles from nature success strategies. Based on these concepts, robotics researchers are interested in gaining an understanding of the sensory aspects that would be required to mimic nature design with engineering solutions. In this paper are analysed developments in this area and the research aspects that have to be further studied are discussed.

Abstract
This paper studies the dynamics of foot-ground interaction and the performance of integer and fractional order controllers in multi-legged locomotion systems. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. Moreover, to compare the system performance, we formulate six performance measures of the walking robot namely, the mean absolute power, the mean power dispersion, the mean power lost in the joint actuators, the mean force of the interface body-legs per walking distance and the mean square error of the hip and foot trajectories. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the different controller implementations in the proposed indices.

Abstract
This paper presents the development of an autonomous mobile robot controlled by a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The robot is capable of performing several behavior-based tasks, such as to follow walls and avoid obstacles, and can be used for the embodiment of different behaviors. Experimental results are given to assess the performance of the FLC and to validate the adopted design options for the construction and control of the robot.

Abstract
This paper studies the performance of integer and fractional order controllers in a hexapod robot with joints at the legs having viscous friction and flexibility. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. The walking performance is analysed through the Nyquist stability criterion and several indices that reflect the system dynamical properties. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the different controller implementations upon the proposed metrics.

Abstract
This paper studies the performance of integer and fractional order controllers in a hexapod robot with joints at the legs having viscous friction and flexibility. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. The controller performance is analised through the Nyquist stability criterion. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the different controller implementations upon the proposed metrics.

Abstract
This paper studies periodic gaits of multi-legged robot locomotion systems based on dynamic models. The purpose is to determine the system performance during walking and the best set of locomotion variables that minimizes the optimization indices. For that objective the prescribed motion of the robot is completely characterized in terms of several locomotion variables such as gait, duty factor, body height, step length, stroke pitch, foot clearance, leg links length, foot-hip offset, body and legs mass and cycle time. In this perspective, we formulate four performance measures of the walking robot namely, the foot locomobility index, the mean absolute power, the mean power dispersion and the mean power lost in the joint actuators per walking distance. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the locomotion variables in the proposed indices. Copyright © 2002 IFAC.