A free gait algorithm is proposed utilizing a new method of gait generation
called primary/secondary gait. The primary gait is a fixed sequence of leg
transfers with modified legend kinematic limits according to the obstacle
presence, while the secondary gait is a flexible gait which is generated to
adjust the leg-end position. The primary gait is generated considering the
following four constraints: stability constraint, kinematic constraint, se
quential constraint and neighboring constraints. Primary gait parameters ar
e modified by the influence of the obstacle. Normally, the machine tends to
move with the primary gait. When the primary gait cannot move the vehicle,
the secondary gait is adopted to serve as a complement of the primary gait
. With the proposed primary/secondary gait, it is expected to improve the e
fficiency of free gait generation while maintaining the mobility of the veh
icle. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the efficiency of the pro
posed methodology.