TriBot: Dragging locomotion three-finger robot

Abstract

In mobile robotics, sometimes a non-conventional locomotion is more suitable where the terrain is rough, uneven, unstable surface or the path has only small opening for maneuvering such as in a search and rescue situation, exploration of hostile area or handling of hazardous materials. Dragging is a type of non-conventional locomotion has the benefits of being physically small, able to move on rough surface and simple to implement. This paper describes a tele-operated three-finger robot that uses dragging to achieve locomotion. Through coordinated motion of the three fingers, it can move forward, backward, left and right by dragging its body.