Title
Adaptive reconfiguration of a modular robot through heterogeneous inter-module connections
Abstract
Modular robots are mechatronic systems that can rearrange their connectivity to create new topologies to accomplish diverse tasks. In previous work, we have studied a modular reconfigurable robot (Slimebot) characterized by a spontaneous inter-module connection control mechanism. The modules of Slimebot connect to each other via a functional material which satisfies physical coupling between the ones. Here, we investigate the effect of heterogeneous inter-module coupling strengths on the adaptivity of Slimebot (here measured in terms of structural stability and locomotive speed). Simulation results show that a certain amount of heterogeneity improves the adaptivity of the system compared to the case of homogeneous modules. The only assumption that needs to be satisfied by the system with heterogeneous couplings is compliance to Steinberg's energy minimization theory.
Year
DOI
Venue
2008
10.1109/ROBOT.2008.4543750
Pasadena, CA
Keywords
Field
DocType
adaptive control,legged locomotion,mechatronics,stability,Slimebot,adaptive reconfiguration,heterogeneous inter-module connections,locomotive speed,mechatronic systems,modular reconfigurable robot,structural stability
Control theory,Robot kinematics,Network topology,Control engineering,Self-reconfiguring modular robot,Adaptive control,Engineering,Modular design,Mechatronics,Robot,Control reconfiguration
Conference
Volume
Issue
ISSN
2008
1
1050-4729 E-ISBN : 978-1-4244-1647-9
ISBN
Citations 
PageRank 
978-1-4244-1647-9
5
0.48
References 
Authors
8
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Masahiro Shimizu183.91
Takuma Kato250.48
Lungarella, M.350.48
Akio Ishiguro432160.94