• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.858-862
• /
• 2015

This paper presents a new forward-viewing mono-camera based obstacle detection algorithm for mobile robots. The proposed method extracts the coarse location of an obstacle in an image using inverse perspective mapping technique from sequential images. In the next step, graph-cut based image labeling is conducted for estimating the exact obstacle boundary. The graph-cut based labeling algorithm labels the image pixels as either obstacle or floor as the final outcome. Experiments are performed to verify the obstacle detection performance of the developed algorithm in several examples, including a book, box, towel, and flower pot. The low illumination condition, low color contrast between floor and obstacle, and floor pattern cases are also tested.

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

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

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.380-385
• /
• 2020

Over the past decade, small robots have been of particular interest in the engineering field. Among the various types of small robots, biomimetic robots, which mimic animals and insects, have been developed for special activities in areas where humans cannot physically access. The optimal motion of a walking robot can be determined by the characteristics of the traversed surface (e.g., roughness, curvature, slope, materials, etc.). This study proposes three types of piezoelectric structures using different driving mechanisms, depending on the application range of the small walking robots. Dynamic modeling using computer-aided engineering optimized the shape of the robot to maximize its moving characteristics, and the results were also verified through its fabrication and experimentation. Three types of robots, named by their actuator shapes as I, π, & T-shape, were proposed regarding application for small scale ambulatory robots to different terrain conditions. Among these, the T-shaped robots were shown to have a wide range of speeds (from 2 mm/s up to 255 mm/s) and good carrying capacity (up to 10 g at 50 mm/s) through driving experiments. Based on this study, we proposed possible application areas for the three types of walking robot actuators.

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

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

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2011.06a
• /
• pp.83-84
• /
• 2011

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.39-52
• /
• 2011

We are developing a biomimetic robot based on the Sea Lamprey. The robot consists of a cylindrical electronics bay propelled by an undulatory body axis. Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators generate propagating flexion waves in five undulatory segments of a polyurethane strip. The behavior of the robot is controlled by an electronic nervous system (ENS) composed of networks of discrete-time map-based neurons and synapses that execute on a digital signal processing chip. Motor neuron action potentials gate power transistors that apply current to the SMA actuators. The ENS consists of a set of segmental central pattern generators (CPGs), modulated by layered command and coordinating neuron networks, that integrate input from exteroceptive sensors including a compass, accelerometers, inclinometers and a short baseline sonar array (SBA). The CPGs instantiate the 3-element hemi-segmental network model established from physiological studies. Anterior and posterior propagating pathways between CPGs mediate intersegmental coordination to generate flexion waves for forward and backward swimming. The command network mediates layered exteroceptive reflexes for homing, primary orientation, and impediment compensation. The SBA allows homing on a sonar beacon by indicating deviations in azimuth and inclination. Inclinometers actuate a bending segment between the hull and undulator to allow climb and dive. Accelerometers can distinguish collisions from impediment to allow compensatory reflexes. Modulatory commands mediate speed control and turning. A SBA communications interface is being developed to allow supervised reactive autonomy.

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

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.109-117
• /
• 2019

In this study, it developed and applied a biomimicry robot education program based on technology education, and to examine its effects. To do this, We were developed a biomimetic robot education program and was applied to gifted education in the technology fields to examine changes of the effects along with satisfaction. The results are as follow: First, the biomimicry robot education program conducted over 15 hours in total, comprised of technological problem solving steps. Second, satisfaction as a quantitative research of this program was higher than average, and as a qualitative research also showed positive satisfaction. Third, the changes in the propensity for technological problem solving and attitudes toward robots were statistically significant after participation in the program.