HydroDog: A Quadruped Robot Actuated by Soft Fluidic Muscles

This report presents the very first effort aimed to develop a legged terrestrial robot actuated by Hydro Muscles, which are elastic tubes actuated by fluid, constrained by fabric that extend and contract emulating life-like performance of biological muscles. The team designed and manufactured a 30-pound quadruped “dog” using versatile aluminum extrusions and minimally machined components. The team tested and observed a variety of bounding gaits that resulted from different skeletal/muscular geometries and actuation times. These tests yielded varying jump heights and robot forward velocities. Future projects should extensively research optimal leg kinematics to maximize the mechanical power the muscles apply on the robot

Mars Settlement Exhibit Project

This report, prepared for the Mars Foundation, lays out a plan for developing a museum exhibit pertaining to the settlement of Mars called the ”Phobos First Scenario”. Plans for the production of a model Mars rover with accompanying software and game objects are contained herein. Supporting research was done documenting the reaction to the plan and the likely efficacy of such an exhibit. Corollary exhibit materials are also presented. Using the recommendations and materials in this report, it should be possible to build a full museum exhibit fit for children of middle-school age given appropriate funding