A Reconfigurable Robot with Tensegrity Structure Using Nylon Artificial Muscle

Lianjun Wu, Monica Jung De Andrade, Tarang Brahme, Yonas Tadesse, Ray H. Baughman

Research output: Contribution to book or proceedingChapter

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes the design and experimental investigation of a self-reconfigurable icosahedral robot for locomotion. The robot consists of novel and modular tensegrity structures, which can potentially maneuver in unstructured environments while carrying a payload. Twisted and Coiled Polymer (TCP) muscles were utilized to actuate the tensegrity structure as needed. The tensegrity system has rigid struts and flexible TCP muscles that allow keeping a payload in the central region. The TCP muscles provide large actuation stroke, high mechanical power per fiber mass and can undergo millions of highly reversible cycles. The muscles are electrothermally driven, and, upon stimulus, the heated muscles reconfigure the shape of the tensegrity structure. Here, we present preliminary experimental results that determine the rolling motion of the structure.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 20 2016

Disciplines

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Engineering

Keywords

  • Nylon artificial muscle
  • Reconfigurable robot
  • Tensegrity structure

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