Keywords: robotics, autonomous motion, miniaturised robots, biotechnology, microactuators
Start Date: 1 May 95 / Duration: 36 months
[ participants / contact]
The aim of this project is the study, the design and the realisation of a flexible microrobot for pipes investigation. Two utilisations are envisaged - as a tenacle, if the back extremity of the robot is free, and, as a reptile, if the robot is free -. The initial specification comprises: an articulated microstructure that is composed by up to 20 identical modules; a microgripper for the head module; a vision system integrated by optical fiber; a system of governs (for the control of movements) and space navigation (for the avoidance of collisions). The precision of the head positioning is 0.1mm, the minimal force of the gripper 10cmN, the size of the modules 5 to 15 mm in the three dimensions and the minimal inspectable pipe diameter 25mm.
The Rumanian team develops the mechanical parts and the actuators. To have a sufficient power/size ratio, piezoelectricity will be used and the Rumanian partners develop their own crystals and a linear step-by-step microactuator that functions by jamming extension.
The Polish team deals with the instrumentation of the robot. In order to perform tests for the non-contact measurement methods, a test station has been built.
The French team handles the command and integration parts. The distributed architecture of the robot requires real time methods, the modules are equipped with microcontrollers and the whole system is connected through a net.
The 2D simulation of the two models has given very positive results.
Results have been presented at national as well as international conferences. A list of publications may be requested from the coordinator.
Université de Metz
Laboratoire d'Automatique et
d'Electronique Industrielle
Ile du Saulcy
F-57045 Metz, F
EU Partners
Université de Metz - LAEI, F
Non-EU Partners
Bucharest Politechnical University, RO
Inst. de Cercetare si
Proiletare Pentru Mecanica Fina, RO
S.V.I.A.M., RO
Warsaw
University of Technology,
Institute of Design of Precise and Optical
Instruments, PL
Prof. Claude Laurent
Tel: +33 87 31 51 25
Fax: +33 87 31 51 33
FMAM - CP94-1306, May 1997
please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk
html version of synopsis by Nick Cook