Motion Analysis of Bending Bar Tensegrity Robot

Abstract

Inspired by buckle-induced structural deformation, a new type of tensegrity robot using bending bars is proposed. First, a combination of numerical calculation and the finite-element simulation method was adopted to determine the influence of geometric parameters on equivalent stiffness, and the basic configuration parameters were determined. Then, the tensegrity dynamical model and the ground contact model were established using a nonlinear finite-element method, and four rolling gaits of the robot were realized by driving diagonal cables. Finally, an experimental prototype of the bending bar tensegrity robot was built for rolling gait experiments. The results show that the experimental rolling motion is in good agreement with the theoretical model. Through continuous curve path rolling, the minimum turning radius of the robot was determined, and the motion mode of the prismatic tensegrity robot was enriched.