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Design, Manufacturing, and Locomotion Studies of Ambulatory Micro-Robots

Biological research over the past several decades has elucidated some of the mechanisms behind highly mobile, efficient, and robust locomotion in insects such as the cockroach. Roboticists have used this information to create biologically-inspired machines capable of running, jumping, and climbing robustly over a variety of terrains. To date, little work has been done to develop an at-scale insect-inspired robot capable of similar feats, due to limitations in fabrication, actuation, and electronics integration at small scales. This thesis addresses these challenges, focusing on the mechanical design and fabrication of a sub-2g walking robot, the Harvard Ambulatory MicroRobot (HAMR). The development of HAMR includes modeling and parameter selection for a two degree of freedom leg powertrain that enables locomotion. In addition, a design inspired by pop-up books that enables fast and repeatable assembly of the miniature walking robot is presented. Finally, a method to drive HAMR resulting in speeds up to 37cm/s is presented, along with simple control schemes. / Engineering and Applied Sciences

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:harvard.edu/oai:dash.harvard.edu:1/11124832
Date27 September 2013
CreatorsBaisch, Andrew Thomas
ContributorsWood, Robert J.
PublisherHarvard University
Source SetsHarvard University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Rightsopen

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