Obstacle Negotiation for the Rescue Robot with Variable Single-Tracked Mechanism

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new obstacle negotiation method for the rescue robot. The rescue robot has a variable geometry single-tracked mechanism, so it can maximize a contact length with ground for the adaptability to off-road and pursue a stable system due to the lower center of gravity. In this research, we add the basis of autonomous navigation, driving mode control based on obstacle detection, to the robot to realize automation of mode transformation. Obstacle detection using PSD(Position Sensitive Device) infrared sensors gives active transformation of the track shape. Finally, experimental results about mentioned are presented.