Architectural design of miniature anthropomorphic robots towards high-mobility

Abstract

A design methodology to build miniature humanoid robots is discussed. Although light and small bodies would make aggressive types of motion experiments much safer and smoother, they would often cause self-collisions and even restrict the space to mount mechatronic components. In order to defeat some kinematic difficulties including the former issue, a technique to modularize and assign joints is proposed through our prototyped robot. And, as a solution against the latter issue, a portable core control unit which stores a stand-alone electronic system is also introduced through the second version of our humanoid, whose system centers around it.