Simulation and Control of a Reconfigurable Robot
Jad Abi Hana
Simulation and Control of a Reconfigurable Robot.
Rel. Fabio Carapellese. Politecnico di Torino, Master of science program in Mechatronic Engineering, 2025
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Abstract
This thesis explores the design, development, and control of a bio-inspired, two-legged modular robot capable of executing different locomotions using articulated joint motion. The robot’s structure is intentionally minimal and symmetrical, consisting of two feet, two knees, and two thigh segments connected by a central “bridge.” This configuration was chosen to achieve mechanical simplicity, stability, and balance while offering modular expandability for future enhancements such as sensors, grippers, or camera systems. Each leg can function alternately as a fixed anchor or as the moving limb, enabling locomotion that mimics the peristaltic extension and contraction. The robot was modeled and tested using MATLAB and Simscape, where different types of motion were implemented to evaluate the flexibility, effectiveness, and motion control strategies of the system.
Three distinct locomotion modes were developed and analyzed: (1) Leg-Over Movement, where one leg swings over the other in a step-like maneuver, enabling the robot to cross obstacles or reposition on narrow beams; (2) Pivot Rotation, where one leg rotates 180 degrees around the other to reorient the body’s direction without changing location, useful in confined or directional environments; and (3) Worm-Like Crawling, achieved through both imposed joint trajectories (kinematic control) and torque-controlled joint actuation, simulating forward crawling through synchronized extension and anchoring of each leg
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