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In this paper, we present a gecko-inspired soft robot that is able to climb inclined, flat surfaces. By changing the design of the previous version, the energy consumption of the robot could be reduced, and at the same time, its ability to climb and its speed of movement could be increased. As a result, the new prototype consumes only about a third of the energy of the previous version and manages to climb slopes of up to 84◦. In the horizontal plane, its velocity could be increased from 2 to 6 cm/s. We also provide a detailed analysis of the robot's straight gait.

The presented work investigates the potential of utilizing commercially available Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) as adhesion actuators, while providing a novel insight on the analysis of the adhesion nature related to negative pressure and thrust force generation against a target surface. To this goal, a novel EDF-based Vortex Actuation Setup (VAS) is proposed for monitoring important properties such as adhesion force, pressure distribution, current draw, motor temperature etc. during the VAS’ operation when placed in variable distances from a test surface. In addition, this work is contributing towards the novel evaluation of different design variables and modifications to original EDF structures, with the goal of analyzing their effect on the prototype VAS, while optimizing its adhesion efficiency for its future incorporation in a wall-climbing robot for inspection and repair purposes., Validerad;2019;Nivå 2;2019-08-22 (johcin), FET-OPEN "CompInnova"

The presented work investigates the potential of utilizing commercially available Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) as adhesion actuators, while providing a novel insight on the analysis of the adhesion nature related to negative pressure and thrust force generation against a target surface. To this goal, a novel EDF-based Vortex Actuation Setup (VAS) is proposed for monitoring important properties such as adhesion force, pressure distribution, current draw, motor temperature etc. during the VAS’ operation when placed in variable distances from a test surface. In addition, this work is contributing towards the novel evaluation of different design variables and modifications to original EDF structures, with the goal of analyzing their effect on the prototype VAS, while optimizing its adhesion efficiency for its future incorporation in a wall-climbing robot for inspection and repair purposes., Validerad;2019;Nivå 2;2019-08-22 (johcin), FET-OPEN "CompInnova"

The presented work investigates the potential of utilizing commercially available Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs) as adhesion actuators, while providing a novel insight on the analysis of the adhesion nature related to negative pressure and thrust force generation against a target surface. To this goal, a novel EDF-based Vortex Actuation Setup (VAS) is proposed for monitoring important properties such as adhesion force, pressure distribution, current draw, motor temperature etc. during the VAS’ operation when placed in variable distances from a test surface. In addition, this work is contributing towards the novel evaluation of different design variables and modifications to original EDF structures, with the goal of analyzing their effect on the prototype VAS, while optimizing its adhesion efficiency for its future incorporation in a wall-climbing robot for inspection and repair purposes., Validerad;2019;Nivå 2;2019-08-22 (johcin), FET-OPEN "CompInnova"

En el presente proyecto se realiza el diseño, la modelación y simulación de un dispositivo que realiza el proceso de sangría del Hevea brasiliensis para disminuir el impacto del proceso de corte en la especie de estudio aumentando la productividad de este, y preservar más el tiempo de vida útil de la plantación teniendo en cuenta que es una especie perenne. El proyecto desarrollado se divide en tres áreas de estudio: mecánica, control y electrónica. Donde, en la primera se realiza el diseño del sistema de corte y el sistema de ascenso del dispositivo, junto con la selección de materiales y cálculos necesarios para el óptimo funcionamiento de este. En la segunda se diseña el sistema de control para los dos sistemas mecánicos y así mismo en la tercera área se integran los sistemas anteriormente mencionados y adicional a esto se realiza la selección de los componentes eléctricos y electrónicos a usar. Finalmente se realizan las pruebas de simulación con el objetivo de comprobar su funcionamiento, que se cumpla con los objetivos planteados y con los requerimientos estipulados, The present project is the design, modeling and simulation of a device that performs the bleeding process of the Hevea brasiliensis, with a main objective of reduce the impact of the cutting process, increasing the productivity and to preserve more the useful life of the plantation, considering that the Hevea brasiliensis is a perennial tree. This project is divided into three areas of study: mechanics, control and electronics. Where, in the first one, the design of the cutting system and the system of ascent of the device is carried out, along with the selection of materials and necessary calculations for the optimal function of this. In the second area the control system for the two mechanical systems are designed. In the third area, the systems are integrated and in addition to this we make the selection of electrical and electronic components for the project. Finally, we do the simulation tests to verify the correct operation of the prototype and verify that the objectives that we define are met.

This thesis explores the design of systems that can climb vertical surfaces with non-negligible dynamics in the sagittal plane. The development of a low-dimensional model addresses a lack of understanding of sagittal plane dynamics during climbing in the space of reduced-order dynamic models of legged systems. Using a construction derived from the well-known and well-studied Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP), we propose a two-legged system with both torsional and linear compliance driven by a position-controlled rotational actuator. Two simple foot models are considered to explore their effect on the dynamics and stability of the system. Results of the model indicate the existence of passively stable gaits during climbing as well as during inverted running and also suggest mechanical tuning parameters for physical climbing systems. A robotic platform capable of producing dynamic climbing behaviors is introduced. A reduced profile, sprawled posture, and improved internal mechanics allow the CLASH platform to be adapted to different climbing substrates. A passive claw engagement mechanism is proposed and tested with simulated steps to verify the design. With these mechanisms, CLASH becomes the first robotic platform capable of climbing loose cloth and climbs vertically at 15cm/s or 1.5 body-lengths per second. When climbing ferromagnetic surfaces, the system is capable of climbing at 1.8 body-lengths per second. To climb smooth, hard surfaces, a foot with a passively aligning ankle with a tendon-loaded gecko-inspired adhesive is designed and tested using simulated steps. With these engagement mechanisms, the system is able to climb at 1 body-length per second on acrylic with a 70-degree incline. A simple foot-impact model is created to explain the robot's inability to climb faster or up steeper inclines due to the sagittal plane reaction forces created during rapid running.

This thesis explores the design of systems that can climb vertical surfaces with non-negligible dynamics in the sagittal plane. The development of a low-dimensional model addresses a lack of understanding of sagittal plane dynamics during climbing in the space of reduced-order dynamic models of legged systems. Using a construction derived from the well-known and well-studied Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP), we propose a two-legged system with both torsional and linear compliance driven by a position-controlled rotational actuator. Two simple foot models are considered to explore their effect on the dynamics and stability of the system. Results of the model indicate the existence of passively stable gaits during climbing as well as during inverted running and also suggest mechanical tuning parameters for physical climbing systems. A robotic platform capable of producing dynamic climbing behaviors is introduced. A reduced profile, sprawled posture, and improved internal mechanics allow the CLASH platform to be adapted to different climbing substrates. A passive claw engagement mechanism is proposed and tested with simulated steps to verify the design. With these mechanisms, CLASH becomes the first robotic platform capable of climbing loose cloth and climbs vertically at 15cm/s or 1.5 body-lengths per second. When climbing ferromagnetic surfaces, the system is capable of climbing at 1.8 body-lengths per second. To climb smooth, hard surfaces, a foot with a passively aligning ankle with a tendon-loaded gecko-inspired adhesive is designed and tested using simulated steps. With these engagement mechanisms, the system is able to climb at 1 body-length per second on acrylic with a 70-degree incline. A simple foot-impact model is created to explain the robot's inability to climb faster or up steeper inclines due to the sagittal plane reaction forces created during rapid running.

Power plants require periodical inspections to control their state. To ensure a safe operation, parts that could fail before the next inspection are repaired or replaced, since a forced outage due to a failure can cost up to millions of dollars per day. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods are used to detect different defects that could occur, such as cracks, thinning, corrosion or pitting. Some parts are inspected directly in situ, but may be difficult to access; these can require opening access holes or building scaffoldings. Other parts are disassembled and inspected in workshops, when the required inspection tools cannot be moved. In this thesis, we developed innovative miniature mobile systems able to move within these small and complex installations and inspect them. Bringing sensors to difficult-to-access places using climbing robots can reduce the inspection time and costs, because some dismantling or scaffolding can be eliminated. New miniature sensors can help to inspect complex parts without disassembling them, and reduce the inspection costs, as well. To perform such inspections, miniature mobile systems require a high mobility and keen sensing capabilities. The following approach was used to develop these systems. First, different innovative climbing robots are developed. They use magnetic adhesion, as most structures are made of ferromagnetic steel. Then, vision is embedded in some of the robots. Performing visual inspections becomes thus possible, as well as controlling the robots remotely, without viewing them. Finally, non-visual NDT sensors are developed and embedded in some of the robots, allowing them to detect defects that simple vision cannot detect. Achieving the miniaturization of the developed systems requires strong system integration during these three steps. A set of examples for the different steps has been designed, implemented and tested to illustrate this approach. The Tripillars robots, for instance, use caterpillars, and are able t

This article presents the development and control of a novel hybrid controlled vertical climbing robot based on Pneumatic Muscle Actuators (PMAs). PMAs are highly non–linear pneumatic actuators where their elongation is proportional to the internal pressure. The vertical sliding of the robot is based on four PMAs and through the combined and sequential contraction–extension of the pneumatic muscles and cylinders, upward and downward movements are executed. For controlling the movement of the robot and to cope with the high non–linearities of the system, a simplified and highly functional hybrid control scheme, based on PID and On/Off control, has been adopted. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is presented through multiple experimental results where it is shown that the utilized controller is able to provide fast (on/off) and accurate (PID) translations to the robot., Godkänd; 2011; 20110829 (geonik)

This article presents the development and control of a novel hybrid controlled vertical climbing robot based on Pneumatic Muscle Actuators (PMAs). PMAs are highly non–linear pneumatic actuators where their elongation is proportional to the internal pressure. The vertical sliding of the robot is based on four PMAs and through the combined and sequential contraction–extension of the pneumatic muscles and cylinders, upward and downward movements are executed. For controlling the movement of the robot and to cope with the high non–linearities of the system, a simplified and highly functional hybrid control scheme, based on PID and On/Off control, has been adopted. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is presented through multiple experimental results where it is shown that the utilized controller is able to provide fast (on/off) and accurate (PID) translations to the robot., Godkänd; 2011; 20110829 (geonik)

The development of wall climbing robots is relatively recent, beginning with some large scale robots in the early 1990s. Wall climbing robots can be used to gain access to or inspect space that is not easily accessible or dangerous for human operators. The range of applicable fields encompasses industrial processes and inspection, exploration, rescue and monitoring. The smaller robots can be used for surveillance purposes due to their stealthy nature. Larger crawling robots may be used to carry out specific tasks such as sand blasting of ship hulls and blasting and spray painting of large containers such as cylindrical storage tanks used by the chemical, petroleum and nuclear industries. Their flexibility and mobility mean that they can accomplish tasks that would be impossible for more conventional robots.The flexibility of mobility that such robots gain from their ability to move on all surfaces rather than only horizontal ones creates some unique challenges. Broadly, they can be split into three categories: robot design, robot control and motion planning, and environmental mapping and localisation. This thesis examines the first two of these problems. A prototype bipedal robot has been built and a second designed in order to capitalise on the experience gained with the first. An in-depth examination of the motion planning problem has been made and new techniques to tackle this problem have been developed. Such techniques are not limited to applications with wall climbing robots as there is commonality with more traditional fixed manipulators. Finally, the planning techniques were combined with the robot design in a test scenario that validated both the design and the motion planning techniques developed throughout the dissertation.

This paper proposes a novel application of the Stewart–Gough parallel platform as a climbing robot and its kinematics control to climb through long structures describing unknown spatial trajectories, such as palm trunks, tubes, etc. First, the description and design of the climbing parallel robot is presented. Second, the inverse and forward kinematics analysis of a mobile six-degrees-of-freedom parallel robot is described, based on spatial constraint formulation. Finally, the gait pattern and the climbing strategy of the parallel robot is described. The information from this research is being used in an actual climbing parallel robot design at Miguel Hernández University of Elche (Alicante), Spain.

En este artículo se presentan los avances alcanzados en la realización de un segundo prototipo para el diseño de un robot trepador sobre estructuras cilíndricas alargadas. Se ha realizado un nuevo diseño que posibilita un control más robusto de la estructura mecánica así como una mejor y adecuada maniobrabilidad. Asimismo se presenta el algoritmo utilizado para el control de trayectorias en tiempo real basado en la medida estimada del centro de la estructura cilíndrica por la que asciende el robot mediante el empleo de unos sensores de ultrasonidos en cada una de las bases del robot.

Se presenta en este informe una serie de herramientas de dinámica computacional desarrolladas con el fin de analizar el comportamiento cinemático y dinámico de plataformas Steward, utilizadas como robots trepadores. Estas herramientas se engloban dentro de un proyecto de simulación de entornos virtuales que permita el análisis y diseño de este tipo de estructuras y su interacción con el entorno, así como el estudio de diversas estrategias de control y el guiado sensorial del robot. (PREMIO RECIBIDO A LA MEJOR PONENCIA DEL CONGRESO.)