Title
Single motor actuated peristaltic wave generator for a soft bodied worm robot
Abstract
This paper presents the design and development of a single motor actuated peristaltic worm robot with three segments using a bio-inspired method of locomotion with one actuator that achieves optimised worm like peristaltic motion. Each segment consists of two solid circular disks that have a tendon connected through to the drive mechanism using a Bowden cable and a soft rubber skin that deforms under the compression of the tendon. Our hypothesis that a tuned peristaltic waveform can achieve improved performance of locomotion distance and clamping strength is proven using an initial test platform capable of demonstrating varying waveform types with multiple actuators. Three experiments were undertaken: (i) moving along a flat surface, (ii) moving through a confined tunnel (iii) moving through a confined tunnel whilst pulling a payload. Results from these experiments have identified the optimal parameters for a smart gearbox capable of achieving the same optimal peristaltic waveform signal as the more complex test platform but with only one actuator driving all three worm segments. Unlike other examples of peristaltic worm robots, this example uses a control method embedded within the mechanics of the design removing excessive number of actuators which contributes to miniaturisation, reduces power consumption and simplifies the overall design.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1109/BIOROB.2016.7523668
2016 6th IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
Keywords
Field
DocType
single motor actuated peristaltic wave generator,soft bodied worm robot,single motor actuated peristaltic worm robot,bio-inspired locomotion method,optimised worm like peristaltic motion,solid circular disks,drive mechanism,Bowden cable,soft rubber skin,tendon compression,tuned peristaltic waveform,flat surface,confined tunnel,smart gearbox,power consumption
Clamping,Compression (physics),Control theory,Bowden cable,Waveform,Engineering,Robot,Grippers,Actuator,Payload
Conference
ISSN
ISBN
Citations 
2155-1782
978-1-5090-3288-4
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
0
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Benjamin Winstone1163.27
Tony Pipe217124.02
Chris Melhuish374787.61
Mark Callaway421.19
Appolinaire C. Etoundi501.01
Sanja Dogramadzi64316.60