Dictionary

pedipulator en · NOUN

Etymology

From pedipulate + -or.

Meanings

1. (rare) One who performs dexterous manipulations of objects using the feet.
   • The foot-pedalled player piano permits its "pedipulator" to enjoy the feeling of being actually an interpretative, perhaps even a creative, artist. 1926, "The Player Piano," The Encyclopædia Britannica, 13th edition, vols. 29-30, p. 1006 (Google snippet view) (retrieved 26 Sept 2013)
   • Mr. Valazzi, the famous juggler and pedipulator now appearing at London halls has joined the school in order to add to his many accomplishments the art of flying. 1913, Flight International, vol. 4, p. 1112 (Google view) (retrieved 26 Sept 2013)
2. A component mechanism which gives a robot the capability of walking; a robot having such a capability.
   • In a laboratory in California, a machine which walk across any surface, however uneven, is undergoing final tests. Known as a pedipulator, it can carry a 26-pound pack of delicate instruments on its back at a speed of five miles an hour. 1967 March 23, “Potential of 'Metal Men' Unlimited”, in Calgary Herald Magazine, retrieved 26 Sep 2013, page 12:
   • Due to the adaptive possibilities of the pedipulators to obstacles, the robot can adjust the working position of the demining sensors while searching landmines. 2006, Lino Marques et al., “Robust Platform for Humanitarian Demining”, in Climbing and Walking Robots, →ISBN, retrieved 26 Sep 2013, page 1098:
   • Each of the "legs" of a walking machine can be treated as a pedipulator. 1984, Adam Morecki et al., Cybernetic Systems of Limb Movements in Man, Animals, and Robots, →ISBN, retrieved 26 Sep 2013, page 63:
   • General Electric has been awarded an initial study contract which may lead to the building of a "pedipulator"— a manned walking vehicle intended to replace wheeled or tracked military carriers under certain conditions. 1962, "Walking Machine," Industrial Marketing, vol. 47, issues 7-12, p. 61 (Google snippet view) (retrieved 26 Sept 2013)
3. (humorous, rare) A foot.

Forms

Relateds

pedipulate · pedipulation