Miniature Mobile Robot Using Only One Tilted Vibration Motor

Multidirectional Planar Motion Transmission on a Single-Motor Actuated Robot via Microscopic Galumphing

Insect-scale mobile robots can execute diverse arrays of tasks in confined spaces. Although most self-contained crawling robots integrate multiple actuators to ensure high flexibility, the intricate actuators restrict their miniaturization. Conversely, robots with a single actuator lack the requisite agility and precision for planar movements. Herein, a novel eccentric rotation-dependent multidirectional transmission is presented using a tilted eccentric motor and a simplistic two-legged structural configuration for planar locomotion. The speed of the eccentric motor is modulated to enable alternating microscopic jumps to propel the system, creating a mode of motion analogous to galumphing of seals. Upon modeling the motion dynamics and conducting experiments, the effectiveness of direct motion transmission is substantiated through microscopic galumphing encompassing left/right crawling and straight-forward crawling. Finally, a 1.2 g untethered robot is developed, which demonstrates enhanced straight crawling and spot turning, traverses narrow tunnels, and achieves precise movements. Therefore, the proposed motion-transmission technique provides a comprehensive set of innovative solutions of underactuated agile robots.

Developments and Challenges of Miniature Piezoelectric Robots: A Review

Miniature robots have been widely studied and applied in the fields of search and rescue, reconnaissance, micromanipulation, and even the interior of the human body benefiting from their highlight features of small size, light weight, and agile movement. With the development of new smart materials, many functional actuating elements have been proposed to construct miniature robots. Compared with other actuating elements, piezoelectric actuating elements have the advantages of compact structure, high power density, fast response, high resolution, and no electromagnetic interference, which make them greatly suitable for actuating miniature robots, and capture the attentions and favor of numerous scholars. In this paper, a comprehensive review of recent developments in miniature piezoelectric robots (MPRs) is provided. The MPRs are classified and summarized in detail from three aspects of operating environment, structure of piezoelectric actuating element, and working principle. In addition, new manufacturing methods and piezoelectric materials in MPRs, as well as the application situations, are sorted out and outlined. Finally, the challenges and future trends of MPRs are evaluated and discussed. It is hoped that this review will be of great assistance for determining appropriate designs and guiding future developments of MPRs, and provide a destination board to the researchers interested in MPRs.