What is locomotion?

Locomotion is the ability to move from one place to another. In technology, it usually refers to how robots, drones, or other machines generate motion-using wheels, legs, tracks, propellers, or other mechanisms-to travel across surfaces or through the air.

Let's break it down

Locomotion can be divided into a few key parts:

  • Actuators: motors, servos, or hydraulic systems that create movement.
  • Mechanisms: wheels, tracks, legs, or rotors that turn actuator power into motion.
  • Sensors: cameras, lidar, gyroscopes, and encoders that tell the system where it is and how it’s moving.
  • Control software: algorithms that decide how to use the actuators based on sensor input and desired goals.

Why does it matter?

Without locomotion, a robot would be stuck where it is built. Effective movement lets machines explore dangerous environments, deliver goods, assist humans, and perform tasks that would be impossible or unsafe for people. Good locomotion expands what robots can do and where they can operate.

Where is it used?

  • Industrial robots on factory floors (often on tracks or fixed rails).
  • Planetary rovers like NASA’s Perseverance, which use wheels to travel on Mars.
  • Delivery robots that roll on sidewalks or bike lanes.
  • Exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs that help people walk.
  • Drones that achieve aerial locomotion with rotors.

Good things about it

  • Versatility: Different mechanisms (wheels, legs, tracks) can be chosen for specific terrains.
  • Efficiency: Wheels are energy‑efficient on smooth surfaces; legs can handle obstacles.
  • Scalability: Small locomotion systems power micro‑robots, while large ones move heavy equipment.
  • Autonomy: Combined with sensors and AI, locomotion enables robots to navigate without human control.

Not-so-good things

  • Complexity: Designing reliable legged robots or hybrid systems can be very challenging.
  • Cost: High‑precision actuators and sensors increase the price of locomotion hardware.
  • Energy consumption: Moving parts, especially in legged robots, often require a lot of power.
  • Terrain limits: Wheels struggle on rough ground, while legs may be slower on flat surfaces.