Nested Reconfigurable Robots: Theory, Design, and Realization
File(s)60507.pdf (1.92 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Tan, N
Rojas, N
Elara Mohan, R
Kee, V
Sosa, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Rather than the conventional classification method, we propose to divide modular and reconfigurable robots into intra-, inter-, and nested reconfigurations. We suggest designing the robot with nested reconfigurability, which utilizes individual robots with intra-reconfigurability capable of combining with other homogeneous/heterogeneous robots (inter-reconfigurability). The objective of this approach is to generate more complex morphologies for performing specific tasks that are far from the capabilities of a single module or to respond to programmable assembly requirements. In this paper, we discuss the theory, concept, and initial mechanical design of Hinged-Tetro, a self-reconfigurable module conceived for the study of nested reconfiguration. Hinged-Tetro is a mobile robot that uses the principle of hinged dissection of polyominoes to transform itself into any of the seven one-sided tetrominoes in a straightforward way. The robot can also combine with other modules for shaping complex structures or giving rise to a robot with new capabilities. Finally, the validation experiments verify the nested reconfigurability of Hinged-Tetro. Extensive tests and analyses of intra-reconfiguration are provided in terms of energy and time consumptions. Experiments using two robots validate the inter-reconfigur ability of the proposed module.
Date Issued
2015-07-14
Date Acceptance
2015-02-09
Citation
International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 2015, 12 (7)
ISSN
1729-8814
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
Volume
12
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Author(s). Licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original work is properly cited.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/60507
Subjects
08 Information And Computing Sciences
09 Engineering
17 Psychology And Cognitive Sciences
Article Number
110