Разработка устройства сопряжения для модульной сельскохозяйственной робототехнической платформы

To create multifunctional robotic platforms for agricultural use, it is reasonable to use a modular principle that will allow installing various equipment depending on the tasks assigned to the robotic tool. Providing autonomous reconfiguration capabilities will reduce human interference and maintenance costs. (Research purpose) This work is aimed at developing a scalable device for interfacing functional modules with the agricultural robotic base platform, which can provide mechanical fixation, energy transfer and information exchange. (Materials and methods) This article analyzes the previous research into the solutions for interfacing modules in robotic complexes and points out their benefits and drawbacks. Based on the analysis and own research, the interface mechanism structure was developed to ensure the correct mutual position and fixation of the module to the base platform under the assumption of possible energy and information exchange. (Results and discussion) In the course of the work, the design ratios for the interface device were derived, making it possible to calculate the permissible linear displacements and permissible angular deviation of the mechanism interfacing elements. Based on the permissible linear deviations up to 10-13 millimeters and a permissible angular deviation of 20 degrees, the main dimensions of the device prototype were obtained. A prototype interface device was operationalized with the dimensional specifications of 200 millimeters in length, 130 millimeters in width, 58 millimeters in height. Several experiments with the device prototype were carried out based on various linear and angular deviations of the interfacing elements. (Conclusions) It was found out that successful interfacing occurs in 98 percent of cases subject to admissible calculated displacements. It was concluded that the proposed interface device will allow for the autonomous replacement of modules of multifunctional robotic platforms.Показали, что для создания многофункциональных робототехнических платформ сельскохозяйственного применения актуально использовать модульный принцип, который позволит устанавливать различное навесное оборудование в зависимости от задач, поставленных перед робототехническим средством. Отметили, что автономная реконфигурация снизит вмешательство человека в эксплуатацию и затраты на обслуживание. (Цель исследования) Разработать масштабируемое устройство сопряжения функциональных модулей с базовой сельскохозяйственной робототехнической платформой, которое сможет обеспечить механическую фиксацию, передачу энергии и информационный обмен. (Материалы и методы) Провели анализ исследовательских работ в направлении решений для сопряжения модулей в робототехнических комплексах, отметили их достоинства и недостатки. Создали структуру механизма сопряжения для обеспечения корректного взаимного положения и фиксации модуля с базовой платформой при возможности энергетического и информационного обмена. (Результаты и обсуждение) Вывели расчетные соотношения для устройства сопряжения, позволяющие вычислять допустимые линейные смещения и допустимое угловое отклонение сопрягаемых элементов механизма. Определили основные размеры прототипа устройства по заданным допустимым линейными отклонениями в диапазоне до 10-13 миллиметров и с допустимым угловым отклонением 20 градусов. Реализовали прототип устройства сопряжения с габаритными размерами: длина – 200 миллиметров, ширина – 130, высота – 58 миллиметров. Провели с ним эксперименты, изменяя линейные и угловые отклонения сопрягаемых элементов. (Выводы) Определили, что успешное сопряжение происходит в 98 процентах случаев при соблюдении допустимых расчетных смещений. Заключили, что предложенное устройство сопряжения позволит реализовать автономную замену модулей многофункциональных робототехнических платформ

Stimulus Pulse-Based Distributed Control for the Locomotion of a UBot Modular Robot

A distributed control algorithm based on a stimulus pulse signal is proposed in this paper for the locomotion of a Modular Self-reconfigurable Robot (MSRR). This approach can adapt effectively to the dynamic changes in the MSRR's topological configuration: the functional role of the configuration can be recognized through local topology detection, dynamic ID address allocation and local topology matching, such that the features of the entire configuration can be identified and thereby the corresponding stimulus signals can be chosen to control the whole system for coordinated locomotion. This approach has advantages over centralized control in terms of flexibility and robustness, and communication efficiency is not limited by the module number, which can realize coordinated locomotion control conveniently (especially for configurations made up of massive modules and characterized by a chain style or a quadruped style)

A Modular Robotic System with Applications to Space Exploration

Modular robotic systems offer potential advantages as versatile, fault-tolerant, cost-effective platforms for space exploration, but a sufficiently mature system is not yet available. We describe the possible applications of such a system, and present prototype hardware intended as a step in the right direction. We also present elements of an automated design and optimization framework aimed at making modular robots easier to design and use, and discuss the results of applying the system to a gait optimization problem. Finally, we discuss the potential near-term applications of modular robotics to terrestrial robotics research

Image-based visual servo control of the translation kinematics of a quadrotor aerial vehicle

International audienceIn this paper, we investigate a range of image-based visual servo control algorithms for regulation of the position of a quadrotor aerial vehicle. The most promising control algorithms have been successfully implemented on an autonomous aerial vehicle and demonstrate excellent performance

Hardware Architecture Review of Swarm Robotics System: Self-Reconfigurability, Self-Reassembly, and Self-Replication

Swarm robotics is one of the most fascinating and new research areas of recent decades, and one of the grand challenges of robotics is the design of swarm robots that are self-sufficient. This can be crucial for robots exposed to environments that are unstructured or not easily accessible for a human operator, such as the inside of a blood vessel, a collapsed building, the deep sea, or the surface of another planet. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on hardware architecture and several other important aspects of modular swarm robots, such as self-reconfigurability, self-replication, and self-assembly. The key factors in designing and building a group of swarm robots are cost and miniaturization with robustness, flexibility, and scalability. In robotics intelligence, self-assembly and self-reconfigurability are among the most important characteristics as they can add additional capabilities and functionality to swarm robots. Simulation and model design for swarm robotics is highly complex and expensive, especially when attempting to model the behavior of large swarm robot groups.http://dx.doi.org/10.5402/2013/84960