The Poly-PEDAL Laboratory

The Full Lab Tour

We measure the motion (kinematics) of animals by using 2 to 4 high-speed video cameras capable of taking 1000 pictures in a second. We analyze the data using a motion analysis system that provides position, velocity and acceleration of joints and joint angles. We discovered that all the animals you see the on the wall move by producing similar forces on the ground! In fact, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and even 44-legged animamls run by bouncing like a pogo stick or spring-mass system.

(Click on the left side of the picture to scan the lab.)