Inertially Actuated Baton Locomotor

Abstract

In this paper, we present a robotic locomotor with inertia-based actuation. The goal of this system is to generate various gait modes of a baton, consisting of two masses connected with a massless rod. First, a model for a baton prototype called Pony I is presented. This model incorporates the inertial forces generated by a rotating single pendulum. The model also accounts for the friction forces that arise in the contact points of the baton with the ground surface. We also developed an experimental prototype for a baton with a single-pendulum actuator. Consequently, we compared the nonlinear dynamics of the analytical and experimental systems. An improved double-pendulum actuation system was proposed for better regulation of the locomotion of the system and the orientation of the centrifugal force. Finally, demonstrated that this system generated steady forward locomotion.