Cellular Robots Forming a Mechanical Structure

This paper deals with group robots called CHOBIE that cooperatively transform a mechanical structure. The CHOBIE have slide motion mechanisms with some mechanical constraints for large stiffness even in movement. First of all, a way of structural transformation including the mechanical constraints is discussed. Second, dissipative energy in the structural transformation based on experimental data of the CHOBIE is estimated. Third, for autonomy of the robots, CHOBIE II is developed and the performance test is demonstrated.

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