Bioinspiration & biomimetics
Jul 29, 2020
Locomotion of earthworm-like metameric robots results from shape changes of deformable segments. Morphologically, the segments could stretch, contract or bend by changing their states. Periodic shape changes are recognized as gaits of the robots. Rob...
Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology
Jul 10, 2020
A continuous model for the peristaltic locomotion of compressible and incompressible rod-like bodies is presented. Using Green and Naghdi's theory of a directed rod, incompressibility is enforced as an internal constraint. A discussion on muscle actu...
Bioinspiration & biomimetics
Jul 7, 2020
We observe that the Atlantic razor clam (Ensis directus) burrows out of sand rapidly by simply extending and contracting its muscular foot. This is notably different from its well-known downward burrowing strategy or the dual-anchor mechanism, where ...
Soft robotics
Jun 10, 2020
Given that mobile soft robots are adaptable to the environment, they are always tethered with slow locomotion speed. Compared with other types of mobile robots, mobile soft robots may be more suitable for rescuing tasks, accompanying elderly people, ...
Bioinspiration & biomimetics
Jun 9, 2020
The annelid, which consists of several identical segments, exploits its soft structures to move effectively in complex natural environments. Elongation and shortening of different segments produce a reverse peristaltic wave while retractable setae ge...
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
May 28, 2020
This study aims to develop a prototype of an autonomous robotic device to assist the locomotion of the elderly in urban environments. Among the achievements presented are the control techniques used for autonomous navigation and the software tools an...
Bioinspiration & biomimetics
May 19, 2020
Thanks to their sprawled posture and multi-legged support, stability is not as hard to achieve for hexapedal robots as it is for bipeds and quadrupeds. A key engineering challenge with hexapods has been to produce insect-like agility and maneuverabil...
Bioinspiration & biomimetics
Mar 31, 2020
Bipedal animals have diverse morphologies and advanced locomotion abilities. Terrestrial birds, in particular, display agile, efficient, and robust running motion, in which they exploit the interplay between the body segment masses and moment of iner...
Soft robotics
Mar 30, 2020
Wireless power transfer (WPT) has the significant potential for soft-bodied continuum robots to extend the operational time limitlessly and reduce weight. However, rigid power receiver coils, widely used in WPT, hinder the continuum deformation of th...
Soft robotics
Mar 4, 2020
Soft continuum robots are getting more popular in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, search and rescue, and inspection due to their inherent compliance and flexibility. However, most of the conventional continuum robots still lack the ability ...