Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Fractal Tetrahedron UAS Assembly

This paper presents the foundation of a modular robotic system comprised of several novel modules in the shape of a tetrahedron. Four single-propeller submodules are assembled to create the Tetracopter, a tetrahedron-shaped quad-rotorcraft used as the elementary module of a modular flying system. This modular flying system is built by assembling the different elementary modules in a fractal shape. The fractal tetrahedron structure of the modular flying assembly grants the vehicle more rigidity than a conventional two-dimensional modular robotic flight system while maintaining the relative efficiency of a two-dimensional modular robotic flight system. A prototype of the Tetracopter has been modeled, fabricated, and successfully flight-tested by the Decision and Control Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The results of this research set the foundation for the development of Tetrahedron rotorcraft that can maintain controllable flight and assemble in flight to create a Fractal Tetrahedron Assembly.

Modeling and Experimental Validation of the Mechanics of a Wheeled Non-Holonomic Robot Capable of Enabling Homeostasis

The field of bio-inspired robotics seeks to create mechanical systems that mimic the designs and concepts used by biological systems. One of the more challenging biological concepts to imitate in mechanical systems is the ability to create an internal environment that can foster homeostasis through the use of a membrane similar to skin. A robot with this ability would be able to regulate internal parameters, repair itself using the internal sub-environment, and defend its internal parts from the surrounding environment. This paper presents the internal structure of a non-holonomic wheeled system that enables homeostasis via a fully connected interior, protected from the outside environment by a flexible membrane. The three objectives of this paper are to: 1) Explore the idea of nature creating higher-order life forms with wheeled limbs given the correct intermediate steps. 2) Characterize a robot that uses a homeostasis enabling wheel. 3) Determine the feasibility of using a homeostasis enabling wheel as a mode of locomotion.