Presentation, Modeling and Experiments of an Electrostatic Actuator Based Catom for Programmable Matter

Nowadays, the concept of programmable matter paves the way for promising applications such as reshaping an object to test different configurations, modeling or rapid prototyping. Based on elementary modules, such matter can be arranged and disassembled easily according to the needs of the designers. Several solutions have been proposed to implement this concept. Most of them are based on modular self-reconfigurable robotics (SMR) that can work together and move relatively to one another in order to change their configuration. Achieving such behavior requires to solve some technological challenges in particular module’s geometry and actuation. In this paper, we build and develop a proof of concept for a catom based on electrostatic actuation. The modeling and analysis of the actuator functioning as catom is given after a comparison of various possible actuation. Simulations as well as experiments validations are afterwards carried out to confirm and demonstrate the efficiency of electrostatic actuation to achieve latching capabilities of the proposed catom.

A review of coupling mechanism designs for modular reconfigurable robots

SUMMARYWith the increasing demands for versatile robotic platforms capable of performing a variety of tasks in diverse and uncertain environments, the needs for adaptable robotic structures have been on the rise. These requirements have led to the development of modular reconfigurable robotic systems that are composed of a numerous self-sufficient modules. Each module is capable of establishing rigid connections between multiple modules to form new structures that enable new functionalities. This allows the system to adapt to unknown tasks and environments. In such structures, coupling between modules is of crucial importance to the overall functionality of the system. Over the last two decades, researchers in the field of modular reconfigurable robotics have developed novel coupling mechanisms intended to establish rigid and robust connections, while enhancing system autonomy and reconfigurability. In this paper, we review research contributions related to robotic coupling mechanism designs, with the aim of outlining current progress and identifying key challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. By presenting notable design approaches to coupling mechanisms and the most relevant efforts at addressing the challenges of sensorization, misalignment tolerance, and autonomous reconfiguration, we hope to provide a useful starting point for further research into the field of modular reconfigurable robotics and other applications of robotic coupling.

Identifying Opportunities for the Design of Innovative Reconfigurable Robotics

The creative design of reconfigurable robots presents challenges that can be tackled by the application of transformation principles for innovative design. This paper extends previous work in the systematic extraction of transformation principles in mechanical systems and reports new results that apply to the design of innovative reconfigurable robotics. Definitions of key terms are revised and a deductive research approach is used to expand and complement the conceptual classification of design operators (principles, facilitators and guidelines) based on semantic analysis of lexical structure, written and spoken conventions. The aim of this work is to produce a comprehensive taxonomy and semantic representation that can be used in the systematic identification of opportunities for the design of innovative solutions in reconfigurable robotics. This semantically robust, comprehensive and cross-domain conceptual taxonomy is tested in the mapping of large knowledge bases, demonstrating its potential to characterize large solution spaces and to identify new opportunities for the design of innovative solutions. Specialized assessments in the area of robotics and design show that this method successfully captures the qualitative reasoning of seasoned practitioners and has a clear potential to inform the design of innovative transformer designs.

The Chosen Aspects of Self-Reconfigurable Robots

In this paper we have shown and discuss the problematic of self-reconfigurable robots. Self-reconfigurable robots are modular robots that can dynamically and intelligently reconfigure their shape and size to accomplish difficult missions. This paper gives an chosen aspects of self-reconfigurable robotics with regards to individual aspects (technical, control, morphology) and basic consideration to the description of some individuality at this area.

Assembly and disassembly of magnetic mobile micro-robots towards deterministic 2-D reconfigurable micro-systems

A primary challenge in the field of reconfigurable robotics is scaling down the size of individual robotic modules. We present a novel set of permanent magnet modules that are under 1 mm in all dimensions, called Mag-µMods, for use in a reconfigurable micro-system. The modules are actuated by oscillating external magnetic fields of several mT in strength, and are capable of locomoting on a 2-D surface. Multiple modules are controlled by using an electrostatic anchoring surface, which can selectively prevent specific modules from being driven by the external field while allowing others to move freely. We address the challenges of both assembling and disassembling two modules. Assembly is performed by bringing two modules sufficiently close that their magnetic attraction causes them to combine. Disassembly is performed by electrostatically anchoring one module to the surface, and applying magnetic torques from external sources to separate the unanchored module.

Towards Application of Collective Robotics in Industrial Environment

The chapter is concerned with a significant area of modern robotics, i.e. multiple robots working as one group, team, swarm or organism. The notion of taxonomy is introduced and an overview of cooperative, networked, swarm and nano-robotics is given. The chapter also analyzes reconfigurable robotics as a tool for improving granularity and adaptive functionality. The development of symbiotic self-reconfigurable systems is discussed and a survey of artificial self-organization is provided. Advantages provided by robots working in collective ways are demonstrated, such as: advanced flexibility and adaptivity; possibilities to evolve behaviours, functions and structures; extended reliability of swarm and symbiotic systems; economic considerations related to agility of enterprises. Finally, emphasis is given paid to a more “difficult issue” which artificial self-organization. It is indicated that technical collective systems may have self-organizing phenomena, despite the fact that they are artificially designed.