Chicken walker

A chicken walker is a fictional type of bipedal robot or mecha, distinguished by its rear-facing knee joint. This type of articulation resembles a bird's legs, hence the name.[1] However, birds actually have forward-facing knees; they are digitigrade, and what most call the "knee" is actually the ankle.[2]

They are usually less able to handle extremely rugged terrain than "man walkers". They are often shown to be faster than other robots, capable of roadrunner-like movements. The best example of this contrast in film is the fast pursuits of the ED-209 versus the steady walking pace of RoboCop in the RoboCop franchise. Also, in the Star Wars franchise, the chicken-walking AT-ST was used as a light scout vehicle rather than the AT-AT, which were lumbering quadrupeds.

Notable examples

References

  1. Slavicsek, Bill (2000). A Guide to the Star Wars Universe: Third Edition. Del Rey and Lucas Books. p. 14. ISBN 0-345-42066-7.
  2. Kochan, Jack (1994). Feet & Legs. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-2515-4.
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