all-terrain modular dog-shaped robot can split its body into two and rejoin them again

"The dog-shaped machine has four legs with wheels. The legs can lift, bend, and rotate, and the wheels can roll in many directions, and this gives the robot two movement modes: it can walk or roll. For the former, the wheels stay still, and the machine walks using its legs, a mode useful for rough surfaces. For the latter, the legs act like suspension arms, and the wheels spin, which is useful for fast movement on smooth or semi-smooth ground."

"Able to move across many types of ground, the two- or four-legged mobile device can walk, roll, climb, and travel at different speeds by changing how each of its legs works. It can even transport objects when users attach them around the metal body, or if they want, the users themselves can ride on the all-terrain modular robot and cruise around uneven ground as if the device were a dirt bike."

"While the company has not yet released the full specifications of D1, the all-terrain modular robot looks like it uses metal parts for most of its body parts as well as rubber-like materials for the wheels to increase their grip and allow them to roll around different surfaces. The joints of the robot legs have direct-drive motors that allow for precise control and fast response, as well as let the machine change position quickly during walking and balancing."

Direct Drive Technology's D1 is a dog-shaped, all-terrain modular robot with four legs and wheels that can split into two units and rejoin. Each leg can lift, bend, rotate, and has wheels capable of multi-directional rolling, enabling walk and roll modes: walking uses legs for rough surfaces while rolling uses legs as suspension for faster travel on smooth ground. The compact rectangular body houses electronics, sensors, battery, and control systems, and includes mounting points for tools or accessories. Joints use direct-drive motors for precise, fast responses and independent leg movement enables balance on uneven terrain. Body panels and leg units appear replaceable for maintenance.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine