NEWS
Bidirectional, repulsive-/attractive-force electrostatic actuators for a crawling milli-robot   (July 2018) RAFA is a new thin-film electrostatic actuator which generates electrostatic pressures up to 156 Pa in repulsion and 352 Pa in attraction when operating at 0 to 1.2 kV. RAFAR, a 132 mg tethered milli-robot, crawls at 0.32 mm/s with anisotropic friction feet. E.W. Schaler, L. Jiang, C.Lee, and R.S.Fearing, (MARSS 2018) and movie . Congratulations to Ethan, Loren, and Caitlyn for Best Student Paper Award!
RSS 2018 Workshop on Design and Control of Small Legged Robots   (June 30, 2018) Web Page
Self-Engaging Spined Gripper with Dynamic Penetration and Release for Steep Jumps   (May 2018) A self-engaging gripper with spines was designed for a monopedal jumping robot, to reduce slip and provide adhesion. The mechanism is kinematically constrained to engage/disengage with leg crouch/extension. The gripper enables jumping of a passive test structure on penetrable inclines up to 60 degrees. J.S. Lee*, M. Plecnik*, J. Yang, and R.S. Fearing, (ICRA 2018) and video
Neural Network Dynamics Models for Control of Under-actuated Legged Millirobots   (Sep. 2017) We present a learning based approach in which a model of the dynamics is learned from data gathered by the millirobot, and that data is then leveraged by an MPC controller. We show that with 17 minutes of random data collected with the VelociRoACH millirobot, the VelociRoACH can accurately follow trajectories at higher speeds and on more difficult terrains than a differential drive controller. A Nagabandi, G Yang, T Asmar, G Kahn, S Levine, R Fearing arXiv:1711.05253 and BAIR blog post
Repetitive extreme-acceleration (14-g) spatial jumping with Salto-1P   (Sep. 2017) Salto-1P uses aerodynamic thrusters and an inertial tail to control its attitude in the air. We present studies of extreme jumping locomotion in which the robot spends just 7.7% of its time on the ground, experiencing accelerations of 14 times earth gravity in its stance phase. D.W. Haldane, J.K. Yim, and R.S. Fearing, (IEEE IROS 2017) and video. Congratulations to Duncan and Justin for IROS 2017 Best Paper Award!
Dynamic Terrestrial Self-Righting with a Minimal Tail   (Sep. 2017) A single degree of freedom tail gives VelociRoACH the capability to dynamically self-right. Open-loop experiments on terrain with varying friction and roughness show that VelociRoACH can dynamically self-right in just 256 ms. C. Casarez and R.S. Fearing, (IEEE IROS 2017) and video.
High-rate turning using dual VelociRoACHes   (May 2017) By connecting 2 robots by a compliant joint, the front robot determines the direction of steering and the rear robot generates thrust for high-rate turning. Closed loop steering using an on-board gyro is used to track a predefined path. T. Seo, C.S. Casarez and R.S. Fearing, (IEEE ICRA 2017) and video
Cooperative Inchworm Localization  (May. 2017) A team movement strategy, referred to as inchworm, uses picket robots which move ahead of the observer and act as temporary landmarks for the observer to follow. This cooperative approach employs a single Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to localize the entire heterogeneous multi-robot team. B. Nemsick, et al. (IEEE ICRA 2017) and video
Salto: Saltatorial Agile Locomotion on Terrain Obstacles (Dec. 2016) Through use of a specialized leg mechanism designed to enhance power modulation, we constructed a jumping robot that achieved 78% of the vertical jumping agility of a galago. D.W. Haldane, M.M. Plecnik, J.K. Yim, and R.S. Fearing, Science Robotics Dec. 2016 overview video and jumps
Modeling and Control of an Ornithopter for Diving (Oct. 2016) We indentify piece-wise affine linear models for diving maneuvers in flapping winged flight. These models are used to compute the reachability sets that satisfy recovery conditions for safe diving. The point within the dive to begin recovery was determined by checking the current pose for inclusion in the backward reachable set. 2.2 meter dives were achieved at a success rate of 60 percent. Rose et al. (IEEE/RSJ IROS Oct. 2016) and movie
Compound Foot for Increased Millirobot Jumping Ability (Sep. 2016) Bio-inspired compound feet with spines and foot pads improved a millirobot's jumping performance by 65%, bringing it close to a no-slip model. J.S. Lee, R.S. Fearing, and K-J. Cho, CLAWAR Sep. 2016 flea jump video
Integrated Jumping-Crawling Robot using Jumping Module  (May. 2016) A jumping module attached to a small hexapedal crawler allows controlled jumps of up to 2 meters height, while the robot is capable of forward running. G-P. Jung, C. Casarez, S-P. Jung, R.S. Fearing, and K-J. Cho (IEEE ICRA 2016) and video SNU youtube
Robotic Folding of Ribbon Structures (May. 2016) We propose the concept of robotic ribbon folding for automatic fabrication of robot structures. We demonstrate robotic ribbon folding into 2D and 3D static structures,  and planar kinematic linkages such as a simple non-crossing four-bar mechanism. L. Wang, M.M. Plecnik, and R.S. Fearing, (IEEE ICRA 2016).
Step Climbing Cooperation Primitives   (May. 2016) We developed primitives using quasi-static force analysis to enable a pair of underactuated millirobots to cooperatively climb a step. A tension controlled tether provides a necessary additional degree of freedom. C. Casarez and R. Fearing, (IEEE ICRA 2016) and video.
Force Sensing Shell using a Planar Sensor (Oct. 2015) We created a low-cost, light-weight force-torque sensor using photointerrupters with force sensivity of 17 mN. This sensor can be used for body contact location as well as environment drag forces. J. Goldberg and R. Fearing, (IEEE IROS 2015) and video.
Terradynamically streamlined shapes in animals and robots enhance traversability (June 2015) We found that both cockroaches and simple robots rely on shell shape to roll the body to allow traversal through a field of compliant stalks. Chen Li, et al. Bioinspiration and Biomimetics and video
Controllable Particle Adhesion (Feb. 2013) Controllable adhesion to glass spheres with a magnetically actuated synthetic gecko adhesive is demonstrated. Results show sphere pull-off forces can be increased 10-fold by changing the ridge orientation via the external magnetic field, and that the effective elastic modulus can be changed from 65 kPa to 1.5 MPa. movie of controllable adhesive Gillies et al. Advanced Functional Materials, 2013
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Current Research Projects
Ambulating Robots The goal of this work is to develop high performance ambulating milli-robots using minimal actuation and passive stabilization mechanisms, combined with onboard high level control.
Biologically Inspired Synthetic Gecko Adhesives Micro and nanofiber structures are designed to provide high friction and adhesive forces through mechanical control of surface interactions.
Ornithopter Project Bioinspired sensors and control strategies are being developed for coordinated flight of multiple ornithopters.
Folding Prototyping of Meso- and Milli- Robots Using laser cutting of composite materials, we rapidly prototype small scale robots using flexure technology. Example structures with dozens of joints have been constructed. (Shown is autonomous miniRoACH from 2008.)
Past Research Projects
Millirobot Rapid Prototyping We are developing a low cost (<$1000)) desktop factory which will allow users to build millirobots from a kit of components. Micromechanical Flying Insect The goal of this project is to develop an autonomous 0.1 gram flying robot using insect-inspired wing kinematics.  Other Past Research Projects Top of Page

Affiliations