Bio-inspired design of an aerial-terrestrial multi-modal robot

This thesis is about the design and performance of a multi-modal robot capable of aerial and terrestrial locomotion. Versatile multi-modal robots are favorable for their wide range of operational environments. Although several multi-modal robotic platforms have been built, their performances in two different modes are not balanced. We took the design principles from Pteromyini, commonly known as the flying squirrel–which shows balanced performances in both aerial and terrestrial locomotion–to create a novel robotic platform. The flexible membrane and gliding method of Pteromyini have been applied to the robot design for gliding performance. The legs of the robot were designed to perform with regulated motor torques in both walking and gliding. The robot glided with an average gliding ratio of 1.88 and controlled its angle-of-attack for slowing down to land safely. The robot walked utilizing different gait patterns and could change its direction with its high degrees-of-freedom legs while walking. These results demonstrated the robot's balanced multi-modal locomotion and feasibility of clearing complex obstacles.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Shin, Won Dong

Contributors dc:contributor

• Park, Hae-Won

• Robotics
• Bio-inspired
• Multi-modal

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Won Dong Shin

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101242

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101242