• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2015

This paper gives an overview on the some potential applications and key technologies of biomimetic underwater robot for naval operations. Unlike most manned underwater naval systems, biomimetic underwater robots can be especially useful in near-land or harbour areas due to their ability to operate in shallow water effectively. Biomimetic underwater robot provide advantages in reaching locations that would be difficult or too dangerous for a manned vehicle to reach, as well as providing a level of autonomy that can remove the requirement for dedicated human operator support. Using multiple or schools of underwater robots would provide increased flexibility for navigation, communication and surveillance ability. And it alleviate some of the restrictions associated with speed and endurance design constraints.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.571-577
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• 2016

In this paper, we propose a novel propulsion method for a Biomimetic underwater robot, which is a bio-inspired approach. The proposed propulsion method mimics the pectoral fins of a real fish. Pectoral fins of real fish are able to propel and change direction. We designed the propulsion mechanism of 1 D.O.F. that has two functions (propel and change direction). We named this propulsion system 'Flipper'. The proposed propulsion method can control forward, pitch and yaw motion using the Flipper. We made an experimental underwater robot system and verified the proposed propulsion method. We measured its maximum speed and turning motion using an experimental underwater robot system. We also analyzed the thrust force from the maximum speed, using the thrust equation. Experimental results showed that our propulsion method enabled the thrust system of the biomimetic robot.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.707-708
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• 2007

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2018

This paper describes a study on posture control of the multi-legged biomimetic underwater robot (CALEB10). Because the underwater environment has a feature that all degrees of freedom are coupled to each other, we designed the posture control algorithm by separating each degree of freedom. Not only should the research on posture control of underwater robots be a precedent study for position control, but it is also necessary to compensate disturbance in each direction. In the research on the yaw directional posture control, we made the drag force generated by the stroke of the left leg and the right leg occur asymmetrically, in order that a rotational moment is generated along the yaw direction. In the composite swimming controller in which the controllers in each direction are combined, we designed the algorithm to determine the control weights in each direction according to the error angle along the yaw direction. The performance of the proposed posture control method is verified by a dynamical simulator and underwater experiments.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.228-238
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• 2017

The CALEB10 is a multi-legged biomimetic underwater robot. In the last research, we developed a swimming pattern named ESPG (Extended Swimming Pattern Generator) by observing diving beetle's swimming actions and experimented with a positive buoyancy state in which CALEB10 floats on the water. In this paper, however, we have experimented with CALEB10 in a neutral buoyancy state where it is completely immersed in water for pitch motion control experiment. And we found that CALEB10 was unstably swimming in the pitch direction in the neutral buoyancy state and analyzed that the reason was due to the weight proportion of the legs. In this paper, we propose a pitch motion control method to mimic the pitch motion of diving beetles and to solve the problem of CALEB10 unstably swimming in the pitch direction. To control the pitch motion, we use the method of controlling additional joints while swimming with the ESPG. The method of obtaining propulsive force by the motion of the leg has a problem of giving propulsive force in the reverse direction when swimming in the surge direction, but this new control method has an advantage that a propulsive moment generated by a swimming action only on a target pitch value. To demonstrate validity this new control method, we designed a dynamics-based simulator environment. And the control performance to the target pitch value was verified through simulation and underwater experiments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.885-886
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• 2013

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.782-790
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose a better solution for swimming plans of an articulated underwater robot, Crabster, with a view point of biomimetics. As a biomimetic model of underwater organisms, we chose diving beetles structurally similar to Crabster. Various swimming locomotion of the diving beetle has been observed and sorted by robotics technology through experiments with a high-speed camera and image processing software Image J. Subsequently, coordinated patterns of rhythmic movements of the diving beetle are reproduced by simple control parameters in a parameter space which make it easy to control trajectories and velocities of legs. Furthermore, a simulation was implemented with an approximated model to predict the motion of the robot under development based on the classified forward and turning locomotion. Consequently, we confirmed the applicability of parameterized leg locomotion to the articulated underwater robot through the simulated results by the approximated model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.611-612
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• 2009

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

For articulated swimming robots, there have been no researches about controlling the motion or trajectory following. A control method for articulated swimming robot is suggested by extending a previous algorithm, ESPG (Extended Swimming Pattern Generator). The control method focuses on the situation that continuous pre-determined swimming pattern is applied for long range travelling. In previous studies, there has not been a way to control the propulsive force when a swimming pattern created by ESPG was in progress. Hence, no control could be made unless the swimming pattern was completed even though an error occurred while the swimming pattern was in progress. In order to solve this problem, this study analyzes swimming patterns and suggests a method to control the propulsive force even while the swimming pattern was in progress. The angular velocity of each link is influenced and this eventually modifies the propulsive force. However, The angular velocity is changed, a number of problems can occur. In order to resolve this issue, phase compensation method and synchronization method were suggested. A simple controller was designed to confirm whether the suggested methods are able to control and a simulation has affirmed it. Moreover, it was applied to CALEB 10 (a biomimetic underwater articulated robot) and the result was verified.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

This paper introduces the mechanical design, fabrication, and control of a biomimetic fish robot whose driving motions resemble a real fish's flexibility and movement. This robot uses two motors create flexible movement like that of a fish. Several schemes, such as neutral buoyancy, fast underwater swimming, and direction changes, are introduced. The tail of the fish robot is made of a polymer material for flexible movement. The interior of the tail contains a joint and a wire. A sine wave command was applied to the tail to produce motion resembling a real fish swimming, and a buoy control device was installed. The up and down motion of the robot fish was controlled using this device.