*Result*: Attractoring-based locomotion for hexapods.

Title:
Attractoring-based locomotion for hexapods.
Authors:
András BT; Department of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Harkó C; Department of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Herczeg Á; Department of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Gros C; Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany., Sándor B; Department of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Source:
Bioinspiration & biomimetics [Bioinspir Biomim] 2026 Jan 02; Vol. 21 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jan 02.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101292902 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1748-3190 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17483182 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Bioinspir Biomim Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: Bristol, UK : Institute of Physics Publishing, 2006-
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: central-pattern generators; hexapod; locomotion; proprioception
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251215 Date Completed: 20260102 Latest Revision: 20260102
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1088/1748-3190/ae2cd5
PMID:
41397348
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Generating robust and adaptable legged locomotion with minimal control architecture remains an open challenge in bio-inspired robotics. Existing central pattern generator (CPG) approaches often rely on multi-neuron oscillators, asymmetrical network structures, abstract phase oscillators, or task-specific tuning to produce stable gaits. Here, we address this problem by introducing a minimal sensorimotor control framework based on single-neuron CPGs with proprioceptive feedback. Through stability analysis and physical experiments, we show that fully symmetric coupling between single-neuron units is sufficient to generate self-organized tripod-type gaits, enable reliable gait switching via single-pulse kick control, and sustain locomotion even under leg failure. In the strong-attractoring limit, coordinated locomotion emerges without intrinsic neural oscillations, driven solely by sensory feedback. The same framework, without parameter changes, also produces coordinated quadruped locomotion, illustrating its generality. This demonstrates that complex and robust locomotor patterns can arise from extremely simple decentralized mechanisms. Our results contribute to the search for generative principles underlying locomotion and provide a lightweight, extensible basis for bio-inspired control across diverse robotic platforms.
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