Fluid locomotion and trajectory planning for shape-changing robots

Abstract

Motivated by considerations of shape changing propulsion of underwater robotic vehicles, I analyze the mechanics of deformable bodies operating in an ideal fluid. I give particular attention to fishlike robots which may be considered as one or more flexing or oscillating hydrofoils. I then describe methods of planning trajectories for a fishlike robot or any other sort of robot whose locomotion has a periodic or quasi-periodic nature. This doctoral work was performed by Richard Mason at the California Institute of Technology. My thesis advisor was Professor Joel W. Burdick