Abstract
A cylindrical rolling robot is developed that generates roll torque by changing the shape of its flexible, elliptical outer surface whenever one of four elliptical axes rotates past an inclination called trigger angle. The robot is equipped with a sensing/control system by which it measures angular position and angular velocity, and computes error with respect to a desired step angular velocity profile. When shape change is triggered, the newly assumed shape of the outer surface is determined according to the computed error. A series of trial rolls is conducted using various trigger angles, and energy consumed by the actuation motor per unit roll distance is measured. Results show that, for each of three desired velocity profiles investigated, there exists a range of trigger angles that results in relatively low energy consumption per unit roll distance, and when the robot operates within this optimal trigger angle range, it undergoes minimal actuation burdening and inadvertent braking, both of which are inherent to the mechanics of rolling robots that use shape change to generate roll torque. A mathematical model of motion is developed and applied in a simulation program that can be used to predict and further understand behavior of the robot.
Recommended Citation
M. G. Puopolo et al., "Locomotion of a Cylindrical Rolling Robot with a Shape Changing Outer Surface," Robotics, vol. 7, no. 3, MDPI AG, Sep 2018.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics7030052
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Actuation burden; Cylindrical; Economic locomotion; Elliptical; Inadvertent braking; Robot; Rolling; Shape changing; Velocity control
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
2218-6581; 2218-6581
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2018 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
01 Sep 2018