Modeling of a Twisted and Coiled Polymer Muscle

A new type of polymeric artificial muscle was recently discovered. This muscle is based on twisted and coiled polymer fiber and is actuated thermally. It has interesting properties, such as low costs and high work densities. Based on fabrication methods, two variations can be considered. The autocoiled variation has a larger load capacity and...

Machine and behaviour co-design of a powerful minimally actuated hopping robot

This thesis presents the first steps of a design study on the robust hopping and balancing robot Skippy. The purpose of the overall design study is to challenge a new design approach for robots with high physical performance. This approach comprises an iterative study of machine (physical system) and behaviour (action strategy) co-design. Skippy...