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Comment by solid_fuel | original | Weave Robotics launches Isaac 1, a $7,999 home robot with Fall 2026 deliveries
[−]solid_fuel · 2026-07-01 Wed 20:31 UTC · link
Going from 2 to 4 legs doubles the amount of actuators required and substantially increases power consumption since you must move more mass, going to 6 compounds the problem further. In a future where we have more dense power storage and better (and cheaper!) motors, you probably will see robots with more legs. But for now, the most efficient solutions are bipedal.

Especially because this thing is already $8k, I imagine they have already done some substantial price optimization.

[−]bensyverson · 2026-07-01 Wed 21:32 UTC · link
Real question: what about 3 legs? Is tripedal locomotion a viable compromise?
[−]levocardia · 2026-07-02 Thu 02:11 UTC · link
Real answer: how many animals can you think of with three legs?
[−]bensyverson · 2026-07-02 Thu 02:28 UTC · link
Ah, so it’s impossible to make a robot unless it looks like an animal
[−]scotty79 · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:34 UTC · link
Kangooroos?
[−]pphysch · 2026-07-02 Thu 06:14 UTC · link
There are millions or billions of quadrupeds surviving on 3 legs every day. 4 legs is evolutionarily superior to 3 but 3 gets the job done, especially if you don't have to worry about agility or repair.
[−]Y_Y · 2026-07-02 Thu 07:17 UTC · link
This one right here
[−]scotty79 · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:32 UTC · link
If the robot has two legs with wheels at the ends it could combine speed and flexibility. Adding a third leg for additional stability when the robot needs it might be great. But the third leg would probably need to be between the first two and I don't think humans are mature enough to have that.
[−]stubish · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:34 UTC · link
There is likely no benefit over 2 legs if you need to step over things. And if you don't, wheels are just fine. Maybe stairs changes this.
[−]foxylad · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:22 UTC · link
Conversely one leg would be cheaper and lighter. I look forward to welcoming our hopping robot overlords!
[−]goobatrooba · 2026-07-02 Thu 06:11 UTC · link
I agree on the rest but don't see why it would be heavier. If you have more feet standing at any particular moment the load would be more distributed, i.e. movement should be easier with more legs (depending on leg weight of course).