A Review of Recent Developments in Quadruped Robots

Abstract

Quadrupedal robots have emerged as a leading platform for navigating complex and uneven terrains, owing to their biomimetic design and superior adaptability compared to wheeled and tracked counterparts. This review provides an overview of the historical development of quadruped robots, from early mechanical designs to modern advancements in actuation, control, and artificial intelligence. Recent progress in hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic actuation systems, combined with improvements in motion planning algorithms and terrain recognition technologies, have significantly enhanced the performance of these robots in real-world applications. Additionally, key trends such as the integration of artificial intelligence for autonomy and the use of advanced materials for flexible body designs are highlighted. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions aimed at further improving the efficiency, stability, and versatility of quadrupedal robots