Methodical development of innovative robot drives

Abstract

Strategies, methods, and tools which help design engineers in the development of complex mechatronic systems such as mobile robots are presented. The focus of this paper is a process for the interdisciplinary product development of these mechatronical systems. This process was developed and tested on the example of the product development of highly dynamic robot drives. The basis for this product development process is a streamlined (i.e. simplified) V-model, as it is known for managing software and mechatronical projects in official organizations. Advantages and disadvantages of a systematic procedure scheme are discussed and concrete recommendations are derived from the experience during the development of highly dynamic robot drives. The contribution of the paper is the reflection of a case study in the growing field of mechatronic design. The developed drive systems for mobile robots are aimed at a reduction of the complexity of drives for mobile robots. Such robots can be used for numerous tasks. The application of such mobile robots has already started with fully automatic lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners.