Biomimetic Approach to the Design of Climbing Robots for Planetary Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-06-A5.P.03
- Author
Ms. Nicola Soper, University of Bath, United Kingdom
- Year
2006
- Abstract
With an increase in planetary exploration, so does the demand for rovers to be designed with the ability to autonomously manoeuvre around complex terrains. The work I carried out for my Masters project at the University of Bath, UK, considers the mobility of a climbing robot to scale uneven cliff faces, in order to investigate the most inaccessible surfaces of the Martian landscape such as the depths of Valles Marineris, in the search for life, to conduct precursor missions and later to support human exploration. Biomimetic principles for robotic design are becoming increasingly popular, and observation of animal locomotion on uneven terrain and in extreme environments can be used to define the optimal locomotion mechanism for such a robot. The problem of scaling complex surfaces has already been solved in the evolution of the gecko, climbing insects and mountain goats etc. Therefore the principles, or ‘rules’, observed in nature which enable such animals to scale one surface but not another, should apply to all climbing bodies. Care must be taken however, when designing robots based on such observations. It can not be assumed that each animal has adapted perfectly to suit their surroundings, with respect to an optimal travelling mechanism, since animals have to reproduce, eat, sleep, hunt prey and protect against predators. The next generation of robots must be flexible and adaptable to their environment, be able to use their on-board instrumentation with ease and accessibility during any manoeuvre or on any terrain, be able to harness energy and store power in any given predicament, and protect itself against damage, weather or accident. These are all recognisable tasks that animals can conduct, due to the multi functional nature of their design. In the context of this conference, my work on climbing robot design not only presents new technologies for designing robots for hazardous robotic exploration, but also acts as a demonstration of the success of a biomimetic approach to space engineering. This session is concerned with robotic and human partnerships. Humans have an understanding and appreciation for mother nature and the creations of evolution. Biomimetic approaches could offer practical engineering solutions, but also allow for an additional affiliation between robotic and human operation and the sharing of tasks.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A5.P.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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