>Not sure if it counts as under-actuated
You're referencing the fact that it's dynamically unstable, and thus needs to be stabilized with a computer. That's a different thing.
You can also have aircraft which are under-actuated yet are dynamically stable. One example is a parafoil, which achieves controlled flight using only two actuators (pull lines).
Is there a way to track what's going on in the battle bots community? It was pretty cliche, but battle bots was fun to watch in the 90s/2000s.
replyIt was brought back by Discovery and videos are also published on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxNDM5ZhvDa_Z1qTUap7IRw
replyI'm not super familiar with heavy equipment like dozers and such, but some of them may also have a single motor to pressurize hydraulic fluid and valves to articulate the various pistons. So may be able to make the argument there too
replyIn that case, the valves/pistons pairs are all independent actuators. The hydraulic motor is more a constant power source for all of them.
replyYeah, the analogy for drones is hydraulic piston -> electric motor and hydraulic pump -> battery
replyThat is common and you can't run two different cylinders at the same time. Depends on how the pump and valves are plumbed of course. Sometimes you can run more than one but you split power.
replyThat sounds like it could be solved with more valves.
replyOr more power ;)
reply> but they are tremendously difficult to steer without computer control.
replythey are not humanly pilotable without computers. they are inherently unstable.