Title
Adaptive Modular Robots Through Heterogeneous Inter-Module Connections
Abstract
Modular robots are mechatronic systems that can re-arrange 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 guarantees physical coupling between the modules. 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
10.20965/jrm.2008.p0386
JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS AND MECHATRONICS
Keywords
Field
DocType
mobiligence, modular robot, heterogeneity, emergence, ecological balance
Coupling,Homogeneous,Control engineering,Network topology,Self-reconfiguring modular robot,Modular design,Engineering,Robot,Mechatronics,Distributed computing,Energy minimization
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
20
3
0915-3942
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
0
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Masahiro Shimizu16616.47
Takuma Kato200.34
Max Lungarella347942.16
Akio Ishiguro432160.94