Multilocomotion robot: Novel concept, mechanism, and control of bio-inspired robot

Abstract

In the background of robotics development, there are two explicit expectancies toward robots as follows. 1. Executing repetitive tasks human get tired to do. 2. Executing dangerous or hard work human cannot do on behalf of humans. From such background, industrial robots were developed to conduct tasks that were hard physically for humans, such as conveyancing heavy materials or implementing oppressive work such as marathon uncomplicated operation. Besides, it is dangerous for workers to put tasks in practice in construction site, nuclear power plant, or outer space, hence it is desired to develop the robot substitute for human workers. On the other hand, in the age of an aging society, the prospective role of robots is turning gradually from just working machines doing monotonous work in factories to partners who support human life, and putting to practical use of such partner robot is expected. To realize this kind of function, it is necessary to accomplish the ability to recognize circumstances and also to achieve the ability to move toward the objective point autonomously in the various environments. Bio-inspired robot imitating motion of living creatures can be considered prepartner robot, because the working area of a partner robot is living environments. © 2009 Springer London.