Design and Simulation of an Improved Structure of Spine for Humanoid

Abstract

Robotics and humanoid development are areas that hold an eminent position in innovation and technology development. Robots are transforming the world, and soon they will take part in assisting daily life activities such as surgery, painting, industrial automation, engraving, and 3D printing. A robotic humanoid is a machine designed to resemble a human, driven by mechanical movements, functions, and algorithms. Nowadays, humanoids are not very flexible in the spinal and abdominal area since they are made from a block-like structure or just a hollow structure with pressure valves for robot-body support. Therefore, to provide more flexibility and a greater range of motion similar to a human backbone, the design needs to be improved. The main idea behind this design involves maintaining continuity of the robotic spine, structural and basic unit level development of the spine, and specifying the kinematics of forward and backward movement, as well as sidewise bending, based on the mechanical setup involving motors programmed according to the kinematics. A modular approach is followed in the design, consisting of three major assemblies of the humanoid spine that work simultaneously to provide the necessary movements required for the humanoid spine. Hence, the aim is to stimulate the design of a robotic spine for a humanoid to resolve the problem of hindered movement in the humanoid spine.