Mobility: How Do Robots Move?

How do robots move? This answer depends on the assigned tasks and the environment they operate in. lets have a look at a few different environments.

 

In the Water: Conventional unmanned, submersible robots are used in science and industry throughout the oceans of the world. Have a look at Jason and his impressive work on the Titanic.

 

Automated underwater vehicles (AUV's) use propellers and rudders to control their direction of travel. In the future underwater robots may move in the same way that as fish does. Have a look at Robotuna. This undulatory motion may make underwater robots quieter, more maneuverable and more energy efficient.

 

On Land: Land based rovers can move around on legs, tracks or wheels. DanteII is used to descend into volcanoes. Dante II uses legs like a spider. Pioneer, is a robot developed to clear rubble, make maps and acquire samples at the Chornobyl Nuclear Reactor site. Its requirements are very different. Pioneer is track-driven like a small bulldozer which makes it suitable for driving over and through rubble.

 

There are many robots use wheels for locomotion. Have a look at The Sojourner. The wheels are 13 centimeters (5 inches) in diameter and made of aluminum. Stainless steel treads and cleats on the wheels provide traction and each wheel can move up and down independently of all the others.

 

In the Air/Space: Robots that operate in the air use engines and thrusters to get around. One example is the Cassini, an orbiter on it's way to Saturn.