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This paper presents a novel modular robot system that can self-reconfigure to achieve omnidirectional movements for collaborative object transportation. Each robotic module is equipped with a steerable omni-wheel for navigation and is…
We present Aquarium, a differentiable fluid-structure interaction solver for robotics that offers stable simulation, accurately coupled fluid-robot physics in two dimensions, and full differentiability with respect to fluid and robot states…
Based on the gradient flow, we propose a new method to determine the bounce configuration for false vacuum decay. Our method is applicable to a large class of models with multiple fields. Since the bounce is a saddle point of an action, a…
The hydrodynamics of bubble columns in the heterogeneous regime is revisited. Focusing on air-water systems at large aspect ratio, we show from dimensional analysis that buoyancy equilibrates inertia, and that velocities scale as…
We propose a combined method for the collaborative transportation of a suspended payload by a team of rotorcraft. A recent distance-based formation-motion control algorithm based on assigning distance disagreements among robots generates…
In this work, we consider a multi-wheeled payload transport system. Each of the wheels can be selectively actuated. When they are not actuated, wheels are free moving and do not consume battery power. The payload transport system is modeled…
Efficient material logistics play a critical role in controlling costs and schedules in the construction industry. However, manual material handling remains prone to inefficiencies, delays, and safety risks. Autonomous forklifts offer a…
Testing aerial robots in tasks such as pickup-and-delivery and surveillance significantly benefits from high energy efficiency and scalability of the deployed robotic system. This paper presents MochiSwarm, an open-source testbed of…
Topologically interlocked structures are architectured by fitting together blocks that are constrained geometrically through contact and friction by their neighboring blocks. As long as the frictional strength is nowhere exceeded, the…
This paper discusses the design and implementation of the Modular Pipe Climber inside ASTM D1785 - 15e1 standard pipes [1]. The robot has three tracks which operate independently and are mounted on three modules which are oriented at…
In this paper we describe a method to generate amorphous structures with arbitrary structural constraints. This method employs the Simulated Annealing algorithm to minimize a simple yet carefully tailored Cost Function (CF). The Cost…
The design of amorphous entangled systems, specifically from soft and active materials, has the potential to open exciting new classes of active, shape-shifting, and task-capable 'smart' materials. However, the global emergent mechanics…
A quadruped robot faces balancing challenges on a six-degrees-of-freedom moving platform, like subways, buses, airplanes, and yachts, due to independent platform motions and resultant diverse inertia forces on the robot. To alleviate these…
We present a non-iterative algorithm, FloatStepper, for coupling the motion of a rigid body and an incompressible fluid in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The purpose of the algorithm is to remove the so-called added mass…
The emergence and understanding of new design paradigms that exploit flow induced mechanical instabilities for propulsion or energy harvesting demands robust and accurate flow structure interaction numerical models. In this context, we…
This paper introduces a simulation study of fluid actuated multi-driven closed system as spherical mobile robot called "RollRoller". Robot's mechanism design consists of two essential parts: tubes to lead a core and mechanical controlling…
Locomotive robots that do not rely on electronics and/or electromagnetic components will open up new perspectives and applications for robotics. However, these robots usually involve complicated and tedious fabrication processes, limiting…
Geometrically complex masonry structures (e.g., arches, domes, vaults) are traditionally built with expensive scaffolding or falsework to provide stability during construction. The process of building such structures can potentially be…
Multi-robot assembly systems are becoming increasingly appealing in manufacturing due to their ability to automatically, flexibly, and quickly construct desired structural designs. However, effectively planning for these systems in a manner…
With recent advances in both responsive materials and fabrication techniques it is now possible to construct integrated functional structures, composed of both structural and active materials. We investigate the robust design of such…