The Robot Catcher

How do you test a robot’s limits without every fall becoming a costly setback? 

For humanoids and quadrupeds, mastering stairs, ladders, and challenging terrain requires extensive testing. Protecting the robot during these tests is essential — but the protection system must interfere as little as possible with its movement. 

At ILT Interactive Robotics & Health Technology Group, we developed a mechatronic crane in collaboration with Flexion and other partners from Zurich to address this challenge. The system follows the robot automatically and catches it when it falls. Its capabilities include: 

• Tracking at speeds up to 4 m/s and accelerations up to 1 G
• An upward interaction force of less than 3 N, with variations of only fractions of a newton
• Millisecond reaction times, enabling deceleration of a falling 100 kg robot at up to 4 G 

This allows teams to test demanding maneuvers with less risk of equipment damage and less physical strain, while preserving the robot’s natural dynamics. Beyond fall protection, the crane supports precise lifting, smooth touchdowns, and programmable routines that return the robot to its next starting position. 

Which maneuver would your team attempt if a fall carried less risk? 

If you are developing legged robots, contact our team to discuss integrating the system into your testing workflow.