Split Belt Machine

This split belt machine drives forward when placed on a split-belt treadmill that has both belts moving backwards at different speeds.

This fun side project was a collaboration with another biomechanics lab. We wanted to demonstrate that it was possible to extract positive mechanical work from the velocity differences of the two belts of a split-belt treadmill. If this could carry over to bipedal walking, it could mean that walking on a split-belt treadmill is easier than walking on a traditional treadmill.

After a proof-of-concept Lego cart was built, I was brought onto the project to build a more precise and efficient version of the cart in order to better demonstrate the "energy harvesting" concept. I designed the cart to be minimal, low-cost, and have as little friction loss as possible. For example, bearings on the rudder greatly reduce friction and narrow wheels offer low rolling resistance.

I also filmed and edited both videos on this page, which were posted to Twitter.