Dynamic analysis of a spherical mobile robot based on a tensegrity structure with two curved compressed members

The use of mechanically compliant tensegrity structures in mobile robotics is an attractive research topic. The mechanical properties and therefore the locomotion performance of mobile robots based on these structures can be adjusted reversibly during locomotion. In the present work, a rolling mobile robot, based on a simple tensegrity structure, consisting of two rigid disconnected curved members connected to a continuous net of eight prestressed tensioned members with pronounced elasticity, is considered. Pure rolling uniaxial locomotion and also planar locomotion can be realized with small control effort, induced by the movement of two internal masses. After kinematic considerations, the nonlinear equations of motion are derived and transient dynamic analyses are performed, to study the system behavior. Also the dependency of the rolling movement behavior on structural and actuation parameters is discussed. The uniaxial and planar locomotion performance of the system are verified experimentally.