A study of inchworm robot by using smart materials

Jeong Heon Park, Chul Hee Lee, Min Soo Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Recently, many researchers have been studying new class of biologically inspired robots that exhibit much greater robustness in performance on unstructured environments. Among these robots, inchworm robot can move well in many kinds of environments. Especially, the advantage of an inchworm robot imitating the locomotion of real inchworm can move well in unstructured environments where other wheel or walking robots can't move. In this study, the inchworm robots are designed and the dynamic simulations are done to validate its performance. Magneto-rheological (MR) elastomer which is one of the smart materials is used to give stiffness changes the robot. The stiffness characteristics of MR elastomer can be changed as magnetic field is applied on. Friction characteristics, which are due to variable-stiffness elastomeric actuator with MR elastomers, are identified. Through the dynamic simulation of inchworm robot with MR elastomer, the optimal design as well as the friction coefficient of robot is obtained. As following the optimal design, the robot is manufactured.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationURAI 2011 - 2011 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots and Ambient Intelligence
Pages430-431
Number of pages2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2011 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots and Ambient Intelligence, URAI 2011 - Incheon, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 23 Nov 201126 Nov 2011

Publication series

NameURAI 2011 - 2011 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots and Ambient Intelligence

Conference

Conference2011 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots and Ambient Intelligence, URAI 2011
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityIncheon
Period23/11/1126/11/11

Keywords

  • Biomimetics
  • Friction control
  • Inchworm robot
  • MR Elastomer

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