A biomimetic underwater microrobot with multifunctional locomotion |
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Authors: | Shuxiang Guo Liwei Shi Nan Xiao Kinji Asaka |
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Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, 2217-20, Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, 761-0396, Japan;2. College of Automation, Harbin Engineering University, 145 Nantong Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China;3. Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31 Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan;1. State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Structural Strength and Vibration and School of Aerospace, Xi''an Jiaotong University, Xi''an 710049, China;2. State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi''an Jiaotong University, Xi''an 710049, China |
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Abstract: | Underwater microrobots are in urgent demand for applications such as pollution detection and video mapping in limited space. Compact structure, multi-functionality, and flexibility are normally considered incompatible characteristics for underwater microrobots. Nevertheless, to accomplish our objectives, we designed a novel inchworm-inspired biomimetic locomotion prototype with ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators, and conducted experiments to evaluate its crawling speed on a flat underwater surface. Based on this type of biomimetic locomotion, we introduced a new type of underwater microrobot, using ten IPMC actuators as legs or fingers to implement walking, rotating, floating, and grasping motions. We analysed the walking mechanism of the microrobot and calculated its theoretical walking speed. We then constructed a prototype of the microrobot, and carried out a series of experiments to evaluate its walking and floating speeds. Diving/surfacing experiments were also performed by electrolysing the water around the surfaces of the actuators. The microrobot used six of its actuators to grasp small objects while walking or floating. To implement closed-loop control, we employed three proximity sensors on the microrobot to detect an object or avoid an obstacle while walking. |
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