To solve the problem of inaccurate angle adjustment in the self-assembly process, a new homogenous hybrid modular self-reconfigurable robot-Xmobot is designed. Each module has four rotary joints and a self-turning mec...To solve the problem of inaccurate angle adjustment in the self-assembly process, a new homogenous hybrid modular self-reconfigurable robot-Xmobot is designed. Each module has four rotary joints and a self-turning mechanism. With the proposed self-turning mechanism, the angle adjusting accuracy of the module is increased to 2°, and the relative position adjusting efficiency of the module in the self-assembly process is also improved. The measured maximum moving distance of the proposed module in a gait cycle is 11.0 cm. Aiming at the multiple degree of freedom （MDOF） feature of the proposed module, a motion controller based on the central pattern generator （CPG） is proposed. The control of five joints of the module only requires two CPG oscillators. The CPG-based motion controller has three basic output modes, i. e. the oscillation, the rotation, and the fixed modes. The serpentine and the wheeled movements of the H-shaped robot are simulated, respectively. The results show that the average velocities of the two movements are 15. 2 and 20. 1 m/min, respectively. The proposed CPG-based motion controller is evaluated to be effective.展开更多
Based on the character of the modular self-reconfigurable （MSR） robot, a novel homogeneous and lattice MSR robot, M-Cubes, was designed. Each module unit of the robot has 12 freedoms and is composed of six rotary jo...Based on the character of the modular self-reconfigurable （MSR） robot, a novel homogeneous and lattice MSR robot, M-Cubes, was designed. Each module unit of the robot has 12 freedoms and is composed of six rotary joints and one cubic link. An attached/detached mechanism was designed on the rotary joints. A novel space transmitting system was placed on the inner portion of the cubic link. A motor separately transmitted torque to the six joints which were distributed equally on six surfaces of the cubic link. The example of a basic motion for the module was demonstrated. The result shows that the robot is concise and compact in structure, highly efficient in transmission, credible in connecting, and simple in controlling. At the same time, a simulator is developed to graphically design the system configuration, the reconfiguration process and the motion of cluster modules. The character of local action for the cellular automata （CA） is utilized. Each module is simplified as a cell. The transition rules of the CA are developed to combine with the genetic algorithm （GA） and applied to each module to accomplish distributed control. Simulation proves that the method is effective and feasible.展开更多
A homogeneous and lattice self-reconfigurable robot module is designed, and each module is composed of a center body and six connection planes which can independently rotate. A module can independently connect or disc...A homogeneous and lattice self-reconfigurable robot module is designed, and each module is composed of a center body and six connection planes which can independently rotate. A module can independently connect or disconnect with other modules, and then change its connection by collaborating with other modules. We discuss how to describe and discover configuration of robot. Furthermore, we describe its motion planning based on the appraisal function and the adjacency matrix which is effective to solve the computationally difficult problem and optimize the system motion path during the self-reconfiguration process. Finally, a simulation experiment is demonstrated, which verifies the correctness of locomotion method.展开更多
In this paper, we propose a novel, 3D, like cubic shape, modular self-reconfigurable (MSR) robot named M-Cubes. Its key mechanical components are analyzed in detail. By communicating with the neighboring modules, each...In this paper, we propose a novel, 3D, like cubic shape, modular self-reconfigurable (MSR) robot named M-Cubes. Its key mechanical components are analyzed in detail. By communicating with the neighboring modules, each unit employs its automatic lock device composed of a pin and a hole on each connection plane which can connect or disconnect with neighboring modules. The M-Cubes system consisting of many identical modules cooperates to change their connection, and then the whole structure transforms into arbitrary structure. Furthermore, we describe its locomotion control based on the driving function and the adjacency matrix which is effective for solving the computationally difficult problem and optimizing the system motion path during the self-reconfiguration process. Finally, a simulation experiment using java 3D technology, proved the new method for controlling modular robot is robust and useful.展开更多
A novel modular self-reconfigurable robot called UBot is presented.This robot consists of severalstandard modules.The module is cubic structure based on double rotational DOF,and has four connect-ing surfaces that can...A novel modular self-reconfigurable robot called UBot is presented.This robot consists of severalstandard modules.The module is cubic structure based on double rotational DOF,and has four connect-ing surfaces that can connect to adjacent modules.A hook-type mechanism is designed,which can quick-ly and reliably connect to or disconnect from adjacent module.This mechanism is self-locking after con-nected,and energy-saving.To achieve small overall size and mass,compact mechanical structures andelectrical systems are adopted in modular design.The modules have embedded power supply and adoptwireless communication,which can avoid cable-winding and improve flexibility of locomotion and self-re-configuration.A group of UBot modules can adapt their configuration and function to the changing envi-ronment without external help by changing their connections and positions .The basic motion and self-re-configuration are proposed,and the experiments of worm-like locomotion are implemented.展开更多
A novel mobile self-reconfigurable robot is presented. This robot consists of several independent units. Each unit is composed of modular components including ultrasonic sensor, camera, communication, computation, and...A novel mobile self-reconfigurable robot is presented. This robot consists of several independent units. Each unit is composed of modular components including ultrasonic sensor, camera, communication, computation, and mobility parts, and is capable of simple self-reconfiguring to enhance its mobility by expanding itself. Several units can not only link into a train or other shapes autonomously via camera and sensors to be a united whole robot for obstacle clearing, but also disjoin to be separate units under control after missions. To achieve small overall size, compact mechanical structures are adopted in modular components design, and a miniature advanced RISC machines （ARM） based embedded controller is developed for minimal power consumption and efficient global control. The docking experiment between two units has also been implemented.展开更多
A novel hybrid self-reconfigurable modular robot is designed to finish the morphing action from line shape to hexagon shape. The robot is composed of many basic modules,each of which consists of a master module and a ...A novel hybrid self-reconfigurable modular robot is designed to finish the morphing action from line shape to hexagon shape. The robot is composed of many basic modules,each of which consists of a master module and a slave module in the shape of triangular prism. There are four connection ports on each basic module. For the master module there are two holes on each connection port,and for the slave one there are two pegs on each connection. The docking process between two neighboring basic modules is analyzed with a peg-in-hole mechanical structure. A small motion's method is presented and the contact forces are derived. According to the force/moment,the pose of a motion module should be adjusted to make two neighboring modules align and finish the docking process.Finally,a simulation of 3 basic modules is shown to finish the morphing and docking process effectively. The system can finish the morphing task from the line shape to the hexagon shape.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61375076)Research&Innovation Program for Graduate Student in Universities of Jiangsu Province(No.CXLX13-085)the Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Southeast University(No.YBJJ1350)
文摘To solve the problem of inaccurate angle adjustment in the self-assembly process, a new homogenous hybrid modular self-reconfigurable robot-Xmobot is designed. Each module has four rotary joints and a self-turning mechanism. With the proposed self-turning mechanism, the angle adjusting accuracy of the module is increased to 2°, and the relative position adjusting efficiency of the module in the self-assembly process is also improved. The measured maximum moving distance of the proposed module in a gait cycle is 11.0 cm. Aiming at the multiple degree of freedom （MDOF） feature of the proposed module, a motion controller based on the central pattern generator （CPG） is proposed. The control of five joints of the module only requires two CPG oscillators. The CPG-based motion controller has three basic output modes, i. e. the oscillation, the rotation, and the fixed modes. The serpentine and the wheeled movements of the H-shaped robot are simulated, respectively. The results show that the average velocities of the two movements are 15. 2 and 20. 1 m/min, respectively. The proposed CPG-based motion controller is evaluated to be effective.
文摘Based on the character of the modular self-reconfigurable （MSR） robot, a novel homogeneous and lattice MSR robot, M-Cubes, was designed. Each module unit of the robot has 12 freedoms and is composed of six rotary joints and one cubic link. An attached/detached mechanism was designed on the rotary joints. A novel space transmitting system was placed on the inner portion of the cubic link. A motor separately transmitted torque to the six joints which were distributed equally on six surfaces of the cubic link. The example of a basic motion for the module was demonstrated. The result shows that the robot is concise and compact in structure, highly efficient in transmission, credible in connecting, and simple in controlling. At the same time, a simulator is developed to graphically design the system configuration, the reconfiguration process and the motion of cluster modules. The character of local action for the cellular automata （CA） is utilized. Each module is simplified as a cell. The transition rules of the CA are developed to combine with the genetic algorithm （GA） and applied to each module to accomplish distributed control. Simulation proves that the method is effective and feasible.
文摘A homogeneous and lattice self-reconfigurable robot module is designed, and each module is composed of a center body and six connection planes which can independently rotate. A module can independently connect or disconnect with other modules, and then change its connection by collaborating with other modules. We discuss how to describe and discover configuration of robot. Furthermore, we describe its motion planning based on the appraisal function and the adjacency matrix which is effective to solve the computationally difficult problem and optimize the system motion path during the self-reconfiguration process. Finally, a simulation experiment is demonstrated, which verifies the correctness of locomotion method.
基金Project (No. 50305021) supported by the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China
文摘In this paper, we propose a novel, 3D, like cubic shape, modular self-reconfigurable (MSR) robot named M-Cubes. Its key mechanical components are analyzed in detail. By communicating with the neighboring modules, each unit employs its automatic lock device composed of a pin and a hole on each connection plane which can connect or disconnect with neighboring modules. The M-Cubes system consisting of many identical modules cooperates to change their connection, and then the whole structure transforms into arbitrary structure. Furthermore, we describe its locomotion control based on the driving function and the adjacency matrix which is effective for solving the computationally difficult problem and optimizing the system motion path during the self-reconfiguration process. Finally, a simulation experiment using java 3D technology, proved the new method for controlling modular robot is robust and useful.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Programme of China（2006AA04Z220）； the National Natural Science Foundation of China（60705027）；Partially Supported by Progranl for Changjiang SchoLars and Innovative Research Team in University（PCSIRT）（IRT0423）.
文摘A novel modular self-reconfigurable robot called UBot is presented.This robot consists of severalstandard modules.The module is cubic structure based on double rotational DOF,and has four connect-ing surfaces that can connect to adjacent modules.A hook-type mechanism is designed,which can quick-ly and reliably connect to or disconnect from adjacent module.This mechanism is self-locking after con-nected,and energy-saving.To achieve small overall size and mass,compact mechanical structures andelectrical systems are adopted in modular design.The modules have embedded power supply and adoptwireless communication,which can avoid cable-winding and improve flexibility of locomotion and self-re-configuration.A group of UBot modules can adapt their configuration and function to the changing envi-ronment without external help by changing their connections and positions .The basic motion and self-re-configuration are proposed,and the experiments of worm-like locomotion are implemented.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Programme of China ( No. 2004AA420110)Heilongjiang Province Technology Foundation (No. GB04A502)
文摘A novel mobile self-reconfigurable robot is presented. This robot consists of several independent units. Each unit is composed of modular components including ultrasonic sensor, camera, communication, computation, and mobility parts, and is capable of simple self-reconfiguring to enhance its mobility by expanding itself. Several units can not only link into a train or other shapes autonomously via camera and sensors to be a united whole robot for obstacle clearing, but also disjoin to be separate units under control after missions. To achieve small overall size, compact mechanical structures are adopted in modular components design, and a miniature advanced RISC machines （ARM） based embedded controller is developed for minimal power consumption and efficient global control. The docking experiment between two units has also been implemented.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61175069,51075272,51475300)
文摘A novel hybrid self-reconfigurable modular robot is designed to finish the morphing action from line shape to hexagon shape. The robot is composed of many basic modules,each of which consists of a master module and a slave module in the shape of triangular prism. There are four connection ports on each basic module. For the master module there are two holes on each connection port,and for the slave one there are two pegs on each connection. The docking process between two neighboring basic modules is analyzed with a peg-in-hole mechanical structure. A small motion's method is presented and the contact forces are derived. According to the force/moment,the pose of a motion module should be adjusted to make two neighboring modules align and finish the docking process.Finally,a simulation of 3 basic modules is shown to finish the morphing and docking process effectively. The system can finish the morphing task from the line shape to the hexagon shape.
