pedipulator

English

Etymology

pedipulate +‎ -or

Noun

pedipulator (plural pedipulators)

1. (rare) One who performs dexterous manipulations of objects using the feet.
   • 1913, Flight International, vol. 4, p. 1112 (Google 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.

   • 1926, "The Player Piano," The Encyclopædia Britannica, 13th edition, vols. 29-30, p. 1006 (Google snippet view) (retrieved 26 Sept 2013):

     The foot-pedalled player piano permits its "pedipulator" to enjoy the feeling of being actually an interpretative, perhaps even a creative, artist.

2. (robotics) A component mechanism which gives a robot the capability of walking; a robot having such a capability.
   • 1962, "Walking Machine," Industrial Marketing, vol. 47, issues 7-12, p. 61 (Google snippet view) (retrieved 26 Sept 2013):

     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.

   • 1967 March 23, “Potential of 'Metal Men' Unlimited”, in Calgary Herald Magazine, retrieved 26 Sept 2013, page 12:

     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.

   • 1984, Adam Morecki et al., Cybernetic Systems of Limb Movements in Man, Animals, and Robots, →ISBN, retrieved 26 Sept 2013, page 63:

     Each of the "legs" of a walking machine can be treated as a pedipulator.

   • 2006, Lino Marques et al., “Robust Platform for Humanitarian Demining”, in Climbing and Walking Robots, →ISBN, retrieved 26 Sept 2013, page 1098:

     Due to the adaptive possibilities of the pedipulators to obstacles, the robot can adjust the working position of the demining sensors while searching landmines.

3. (very rare, humorous) A foot.

Related terms

• pedipulate
• pedipulation