Locomotor mechanism of Haplopelma hainanum based on energy conservation analysis

Abstract

Spiders use their special hydraulic system to achieve superior locomotor performance and high drive efficiency. To evaluate the variation in hydraulic joint angles and energy conversion during the hydraulic drive of spiders, kinematic data of Haplopelma hainanum were collected through a 3D motion capture and synchronization analysis system. Complete stride datasets in the speed range of 0.027 to 0.691 m s−1 were analyzed. Taking the tibia–metatarsu joint as an example, it was found that speed did not affect the angle variation range of the hydraulic joint. Based on the analysis of locomotor mechanics, a bouncing gait was mainly used by H. hainanum during terrestrial locomotion and their locomotor mechanism did not change with increasing speed. Because of the spiders’ hydraulic system, the mass-specific power per unit weight required to move the center of mass increased exponentially with increasing speed. The bouncing gait and the hydraulic system contributed to the lower transport cost at low speed, while the hydraulic system greatly increased the transport cost at high speed. The results of this study could provide a reference for the design of high-efficiency driving hydraulic systems of spider-like robots.

Keywords

• biomechanics
• spider
• locomotion
• gait
• mechanical work