Title: Manipulation-Driven Adaptation for Enhancing Mobile Robot Efficiency and Versatility

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Time: 12:30 PM EST

Location: GTMI Room 114

Zoom: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93701017534

Raymond Kim

Robotics PhD Student

School of Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee:

Dr. Anirban Mazumdar (Advisor) - School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Stephen Balakirsky - Georgia Tech Research Institute

Dr. Jonathan Rogers - School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Jun Ueda - School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Aaron Young – School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract:

Terrestrial mobile robotics are crucial to a range of missions including planetary exploration, search and rescue, logistics, and national security. Many of these missions require the robot to operate on a broad variety of terrain. Physical adaptation can enable a robot to intelligently interact with the environment to benefit from efficient and versatile performance. We describe a new approach to physical adaptation through manipulation. Specifically, this work investigates how manipulators can be used to change the vehicle's locomotive capabilities or increase vehicle traction. This work presents "swappable propulsors/anchors", which can be easily attached/detached to adapt the vehicle by exploiting geometric features and permanent magnets. A new robot system that uses its manipulator to swap between propulsors/anchors is created. This work experimentally demonstrates and quantifies how this manipulation-driven adaptation method provides a unique combination of energy efficiency and versatility in performance. We describe the design of swappable propulsors/anchors, analyze how to manipulate them, and describe how they can be used to improve performance in mobility and payload transport across various surfaces.