The study of the movement behavior of geckos on a vertical surface, including the measurement and recording of the reaction forces as they move in different directions, plays an important role in understanding the mec...The study of the movement behavior of geckos on a vertical surface, including the measurement and recording of the reaction forces as they move in different directions, plays an important role in understanding the mechanics of the animals' locomotion. This study provides inspiration for the design of a control system for a bionics robot. The three-dimensional reaction forces of vertical surface-climbing geckos (Gekko gecko) were measured using a three-dimensional force-sensors-array. The behavior of gecko as it moved on a vertical surface was recorded with a high speed camera at 215 fps and the function of each foot of a gecko are discussed in this paper. The results showed that the gecko increased its velocity of movement mainly by increasing the stride frequency in the upward, downward and leftward direction and that the speed had no significant relationship to the attachment and detachment times. The feet above the center-of-mass play a key role in supporting the body, driving locomotion and balancing overturning etc. The movement behavior and foot function of geckos change correspondingly for different conditions, which results in safe and effective free vertical locomotion. This research will be helpful in designing gecko-like robots including the selection of gait planning and its control.展开更多
Studying the locomotive behavior of animals has the potential to inspire the design of the mechanism and gait patterns of robots ("bio-inspired robots"). The kinematics characteristics of a spider (Ornithoct...Studying the locomotive behavior of animals has the potential to inspire the design of the mechanism and gait patterns of robots ("bio-inspired robots"). The kinematics characteristics of a spider (Ornithoctonus huwena), including movement of the legs, movement of the center of mass (COM) and joint-rotation angle, were obtained from the observation of locomotion behaviors recorded by a three-dimensional locomotion observation system. Our results showed that one set of the stance phase consists of four legs, which were leg-1 and leg-3 on one side and leg-2 and leg-4 on the other side. Additionally, two sets of the stance phase comprised eight legs alternately supporting and driving the motion of the spider's body. The spider primarily increased its movement velocity by increasing stride frequency. In comparison to other insects, the spider, O. huwena, has superior movement stability. The velocity and height of COM periodically fluctuated during movement, reaching a maximum during alternation of leg phase, and falling to a minimum in the steady stance phase. The small change in deflection angle of the hind-leg was effective in driving locomotion, whereas each joint-rotation angle of the fore-leg changed irregularly during locomotion. This research will help in the design of bio-inspired robots, including the selection of gait planning and its control.展开更多
To understand the mechanical interactions when geckos move on ceiling and to obtain an inspiration on the controlling strategy of gecko-like robot,we measured the ceiling reaction force(CRF) of freely moving geckos on...To understand the mechanical interactions when geckos move on ceiling and to obtain an inspiration on the controlling strategy of gecko-like robot,we measured the ceiling reaction force(CRF) of freely moving geckos on ceiling substrate by a 3-dimensional force measuring array and simultaneously recorded the locomotion behaviors by a high speed camera.CRF and the preload force(FP) generated by the geckos were obtained and the functions and the differences between forces generated by fore-and hind-feet were discussed.The results showed that the speed of gecko moving on the ceiling was 0.17-0.48 m/s,all of the fore-and hind-legs pulled toward the body center.When geckos attached on the ceiling incipiently,the feet generated a very small incipient FP and this fine FP could bring about enough adhesive normal force and tangential force to make the gecko moving on ceiling safely.The FP of the fore-feet is larger than that of the hind-feet.The lateral CRF of the fore-feet is almost the same as that of the hind-feet's.The fore-aft CRF generated by the fore-feet directed to the motion direction and drove their locomotion,but the force generated by the hind-feet directed against the motion direction.The normal CRF of fore-and hind-feet accounted for 73.4% and 60.6% of the body weight respectively.Measurements show that the fore-aft CRF is obviously lager than the lateral and normal CRF and plays a major role in promoting the fore-feet,while the hind-feet of the main role are to provide a smooth movement.The results indicate that due to the differences of the locomotion function of each foot between different surfaces,the gecko can freely move on ceiling surfaces,which inspires the structure designing,gait planning and control developing for gecko-like robot.展开更多
As a member of robot families, climbing robots have become one of the research hot-spots in the robotic field recently and Gekko gecko (G. gecko) has been broadly seen as an ideal model for climbing robot development....As a member of robot families, climbing robots have become one of the research hot-spots in the robotic field recently and Gekko gecko (G. gecko) has been broadly seen as an ideal model for climbing robot development. But for gecko-mimic robots, one of the key problems is how to design the robot's foot. In this paper, (1) high-speed camera recording and electrophysiological method are used to observe motion patterns of G. gecko's foot when it climbs on different oriented surfaces; (2) nerve innervations of gecko's toes to motion and reception are studied. It is found that the five toes of the G. gecko can be divided into two motion and reception divisions, and also its motion and reception are modulated and controlled hierarchically. The results provide important information and exclusive ideas for the foot design and control algorithm of gecko-mimic robots.展开更多
基金supported by the Funding for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BCXJ10-10)the National Hi-Tech Research & Development Program of China (2007AA04Z201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (60910007, 50705043, 50975140 and 30700068)
文摘The study of the movement behavior of geckos on a vertical surface, including the measurement and recording of the reaction forces as they move in different directions, plays an important role in understanding the mechanics of the animals' locomotion. This study provides inspiration for the design of a control system for a bionics robot. The three-dimensional reaction forces of vertical surface-climbing geckos (Gekko gecko) were measured using a three-dimensional force-sensors-array. The behavior of gecko as it moved on a vertical surface was recorded with a high speed camera at 215 fps and the function of each foot of a gecko are discussed in this paper. The results showed that the gecko increased its velocity of movement mainly by increasing the stride frequency in the upward, downward and leftward direction and that the speed had no significant relationship to the attachment and detachment times. The feet above the center-of-mass play a key role in supporting the body, driving locomotion and balancing overturning etc. The movement behavior and foot function of geckos change correspondingly for different conditions, which results in safe and effective free vertical locomotion. This research will be helpful in designing gecko-like robots including the selection of gait planning and its control.
基金supported by Funding for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BCXJ10-10)the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (2007AA04Z201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (60910007,31070344 and 50975140)
文摘Studying the locomotive behavior of animals has the potential to inspire the design of the mechanism and gait patterns of robots ("bio-inspired robots"). The kinematics characteristics of a spider (Ornithoctonus huwena), including movement of the legs, movement of the center of mass (COM) and joint-rotation angle, were obtained from the observation of locomotion behaviors recorded by a three-dimensional locomotion observation system. Our results showed that one set of the stance phase consists of four legs, which were leg-1 and leg-3 on one side and leg-2 and leg-4 on the other side. Additionally, two sets of the stance phase comprised eight legs alternately supporting and driving the motion of the spider's body. The spider primarily increased its movement velocity by increasing stride frequency. In comparison to other insects, the spider, O. huwena, has superior movement stability. The velocity and height of COM periodically fluctuated during movement, reaching a maximum during alternation of leg phase, and falling to a minimum in the steady stance phase. The small change in deflection angle of the hind-leg was effective in driving locomotion, whereas each joint-rotation angle of the fore-leg changed irregularly during locomotion. This research will help in the design of bio-inspired robots, including the selection of gait planning and its control.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2007AA04Z201)National Natural Science Foundation of China (60535020, 50635030, 30770285 and 30700068)
文摘To understand the mechanical interactions when geckos move on ceiling and to obtain an inspiration on the controlling strategy of gecko-like robot,we measured the ceiling reaction force(CRF) of freely moving geckos on ceiling substrate by a 3-dimensional force measuring array and simultaneously recorded the locomotion behaviors by a high speed camera.CRF and the preload force(FP) generated by the geckos were obtained and the functions and the differences between forces generated by fore-and hind-feet were discussed.The results showed that the speed of gecko moving on the ceiling was 0.17-0.48 m/s,all of the fore-and hind-legs pulled toward the body center.When geckos attached on the ceiling incipiently,the feet generated a very small incipient FP and this fine FP could bring about enough adhesive normal force and tangential force to make the gecko moving on ceiling safely.The FP of the fore-feet is larger than that of the hind-feet.The lateral CRF of the fore-feet is almost the same as that of the hind-feet's.The fore-aft CRF generated by the fore-feet directed to the motion direction and drove their locomotion,but the force generated by the hind-feet directed against the motion direction.The normal CRF of fore-and hind-feet accounted for 73.4% and 60.6% of the body weight respectively.Measurements show that the fore-aft CRF is obviously lager than the lateral and normal CRF and plays a major role in promoting the fore-feet,while the hind-feet of the main role are to provide a smooth movement.The results indicate that due to the differences of the locomotion function of each foot between different surfaces,the gecko can freely move on ceiling surfaces,which inspires the structure designing,gait planning and control developing for gecko-like robot.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30400086, 30770285, 30700068)Key Project Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60535020)
文摘As a member of robot families, climbing robots have become one of the research hot-spots in the robotic field recently and Gekko gecko (G. gecko) has been broadly seen as an ideal model for climbing robot development. But for gecko-mimic robots, one of the key problems is how to design the robot's foot. In this paper, (1) high-speed camera recording and electrophysiological method are used to observe motion patterns of G. gecko's foot when it climbs on different oriented surfaces; (2) nerve innervations of gecko's toes to motion and reception are studied. It is found that the five toes of the G. gecko can be divided into two motion and reception divisions, and also its motion and reception are modulated and controlled hierarchically. The results provide important information and exclusive ideas for the foot design and control algorithm of gecko-mimic robots.