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Comment by arketyp | Hacker News Reader

I liked that part of the DARPA-demo the best for sure. It seems obvious that vehicle suspension should be dynamically controlled by software anticipating the terrain. (Maybe cars already have this technology to some extent? I'm not sure.) What's the soft tech in your robot?

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> Maybe cars already have this technology to some extent?

It was banned in F1, that combined with the skirts for downforce meant for insane low ground clearances with grip off the scales. You could see cornering speeds going up seemingly without end.

context: https://www.racefans.net/2007/05/17/banned-active-suspension...

Even non-computer aided active suspension was banned. Good readup: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/127638/f1-latest-suspensio...

There’s been at least two attempts at active suspension I’m aware of. One is quite old. It came up in discussion on HN recently. Back shortly with a link.

Update: link as promised https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17108828

there are electric sway bars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNHkGq9fDc

bose electromagnetic suspension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOR8eKBLwXQ

student project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ1eKddstxM

Hello! I’m not sure I understand the phrase “soft tech”, but Rover uses some large springs for suspension and has big foam tires. I could build active suspension but it dramatically increases the cost and complexity of the robot, which goes counter to my goals. Some low cost active suspension would be helpful though! Right now I’m just focused on keeping the thing reliable. :)

some F1 cars had it briefly in the 1970s and it was outlawed. Cars would lean into the turns, nose up when braking, nose down when acclerating. crazy stuff.

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