Driving redundant robots by a dedicated clutch-based actuator

Abstract

The redundancy in the body construction of humans and animals makes them very adaptable for a wide variety of natural environments. By switching/activating/deactivating they can accommodate the necessary locomotion for performing almost any task in their lifes. Therefore redundant and hyper-redundant robots are at the focus of research world-wide. The existing hyper-redundant robotic platforms are built in a plenty of mechanical constructions and purposes of use, but have a limited number of useful features that, unfortunately, limit their applicability in some important areas. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2007.