A mobile self-reconfigurable robot based on modularity

A novel mobile self-reconfigurable robot is presented.This robot consists of several independentunits.Each unit is composed of modular components including ultrasonic sensor,camera,communica-tion,computation,and mobility parts,and is capable of simple self-reconfiguring to enhance its mobilityby expanding itself.Several units can not only link into a train or oilier shapes autonomously via cameraand sensors to be a united whole robot for obstacle clearing,but also disjoin to be separate units undercontrol after missions.To achieve small overall size,compact mechanical structures are adopted in modu-lar components design,and a miniature advanced RISC machines(ARM)based embedded controller isdeveloped for minimal power consumption and efficient global control.The docking experiment betweentwo units has also been implemented.

基于嵌入式视觉的移动式自重构微小型机器人

为了提高微小型移动机器人作业能力,提出了一种新型移动式自重构机器人。机器人包含若干可独立执行任务的移动子机器人,单元子机器人由若干模块化组件(中央处理模块、通信模块、驱动模块、弯举模块、超声模块、视觉模块等)构成,并可通过展开结构进行简单变形以增强自身机动性能与越障能力。多个子机器人可以在微型CMOS相机及其它传感器协作下自主对接为整体机器人,并可自重构为蛇形、环形等构形完成越障。在任务完成后,各子机器人可以彼此脱离,形成分布式机器人系统。为实现机器人微小型化,在模块化设计过程中大量采用了紧凑机械结构,设计了基于微型CMOS数字相机的嵌入式图像处理模块用于视觉自重构,以及基于ARM、FPGA的嵌入式中央控制器进行低能耗高效率的全局控制。单元机器人通过了完整的功能测试,在两个单元机器人中心线夹角为30°的情况下,完成对接耗时为15s,满足机器人自重构要求。