Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Articles

Vol. 7 (2020)

Adaptive Structures and Biomimetic Robots – A Perspective

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31875/2409-9694.2020.07.6
Submitted
November 16, 2020
Published
16.11.2020

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of some recent full-scale demonstrations of morphing devices capable of providing innovative capabilities to general systems in changing shape and improving performance significantly during operations. In aeronautics, large progress has been observed over the last few years, meaning that this technology is rapidly transitioning from laboratory scale to high TRL demonstrators. The most advanced concepts already proved to withstand loads with minimal deformation while having the capability to change their geometry to attain additional benefits with respect to their original mission. In the same way, robotics has become one of the most prominent technological trends of the current century. The rapid increase in their use and development has significantly changed our society by gradually replacing a large share of human jobs. Such an evolution is also rapidly accelerating, as technological advances in automation, engineering, artificial intelligence, and machine learning converge. Since both domains involve the integration of actuators, sensors and controllers and face integrity challenges in harsh environments, they may be seen somehow related and probably share a common future. In this article, the authors propose an original view of a possible future scenario that is likely to consider a unique development path for research on adaptive structures and robotics.

References

  1. Morphing Wing Technologies: Large Commercial Aircraft and Civil Helicopters, Concilio A, Dimino I, Lecce L, Pecora R. (ed.), ISBN 9780081009697, Publisher: Elsevier Science, 2017.
  2. Smart Intelligent Aircraft Structures (SARISTU): Proceedings of the Final Project Conference, Woelcken P. C., Papadopoulos M. (ed.}, ISBN 9783319224138, Publisher: Springer International Publishing, 2015.
  3. Morphing Aerospace Vehicles and Structures, Valasek J., ISBN 9781119940302, Aerospace Series, Publisher: Wiley, 2012.
  4. Pecora R. Morphing wing flaps for large civil aircraft: Evolution of a smart technology across the Clean Sky program, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2021; 34(7): 13- 28, ISSN 1000-9361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2020.08.004
  5. Riemenschneider J, Misol M, Schmidt D. (2016). Smart Structures: Recent Developments within Aeronautics Applications (Invited Review). Actuator 2016, Bremen, Germany, 2016; 13-15.
  6. Kuzmina S, Ishmuratov F, Zichenkov M, et al. Wind tunnel testing of adaptive wing structures. In: Concilio A, Dimino I, Lecce L, Pecora R, ed. Morphing wing technologies. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2017; p. 713-55.
  7. Cumming SB, Smith MS, Ali AN, et al. Aerodynamic FlightTest Results for the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge. AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, AIAA-2016-3855, June 2016. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2016-3855
  8. NASA. Harrington JD, Merlin P, Mayer D, Hill R. NASA Tests Revolutionary Shape Changing Aircraft Flap for the First Time. Nov 7th, 2014, Release 14-308. https://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/november/nasa-testsrevolutionary-shape-changing-aircraft-flap-for-the-first-time, Last Updated: Aug 7th, 2017, Allard Beutel ed. Last access April 2nd, 2021.
  9. Ameduri S, Concilio A, Dimino I, Pecora R, Ricci S. AIRGREEN2-Clean Sky 2 programme: Adaptive wing technology maturation, challenges and perspectives. In Proceedings of the ASME conference on smart materials, adaptive structures and intelligent systems, San Antonio, TX, USA, 10-12 September 2018, paper no. SMASIS2018-8235. New York: ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2018-8235
  10. Dimino I, Andreutti G, Moens F, Fonte F, Pecora R, Concilio A. Integrated Design of a Morphing Winglet for Active Load Control and Alleviation of Turboprop Regional Aircraft. Appl. Sci. 2021; 11: 2439. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052439
  11. Moens F. Augmented Aircraft Performance with the Use of Morphing Technology for a Turboprop Regional Aircraft Wing. Biomimetics 2019; 4: 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics4030064
  12. Rea F, Amoroso F, Pecora R, et al. Structural design of a multifunctional morphing fowler flap for a twin-prop regional aircraft. Proceedings of SMASIS 2018 - Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conference (San Antonio - TX, USA), sponsored by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering), September 2018, Paper ID: SMASIS2018-7937. https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2018-7937
  13. Dan X, Junhao X, Huimin L, et al. The design of an intelligent soccer-playing robot, 2016; 43: pp. 91-102. Industrial Robot: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-05-2015-0092
  14. Lindner C. Skip the New Terminator, and Watch This Unnerving Robo-Apocalypse Instead, This is how the robots will take over, 2019, Popular Mechanics, https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a2961 0393/robot-soldier-boston-dynamics/, last accessed Jan 1st, 2020.
  15. Ashish S, Amanpreet S. Kinematic Modeling of Robotic Manipulators, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India - Section A. 2016; 87: pp. 303-319 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-016-0285-x
  16. Su H, Yang C, Ferrigno G, De Momi E. Improved HumanRobot Collaborative Control of Redundant Robot for Teleoperated Minimally Invasive Surgery, IEEE Robotics and Automation. 2019; 4(2): pp. 1447-1453. https://doi.org/10.1109/LRA.2019.2897145
  17. Piazza C, Catalano MG, Godfrey SB, et al. The Soft Hand Pro-H: A Hybrid Body-Controlled, Electrically Powered Hand Prosthesis for Daily Living and Working, IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine 2017; 24(4): 87-101. https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2017.2751662
  18. Zeiba D. Roaming robot dogs could streamline jobsite documentation, 2019, The Architect Newspaper, https://archpaper.com/2019/12/roaming-robot-dogs-spotstreamline-jobsite-documentation/, last accessed Dec 30th, 2019.
  19. NASA JPL. Artist's Concept of Rover on Mars, https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA04413. Last updated: Feb 26th, 2006, last access, April 3rd, 2021.
  20. Pixabay. Futuristic robotic concept, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/robot-monster-ufoelectronics-2116088/. Published, March 5th, 2017, Latest access, April 2nd, 2021.
  21. The Transformers: The Movie, Director: Nelson Shin, Production company; Sunbow Productions, Marvel Productions, Toei Animation: Produced by; Joe Bacal, Tom Griffith, Edited by; David Hankins, Music by; Vince Di Cola, 1986.
  22. Terminator 2, Director: James Cameron, Production company; Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Productions, Lightstorm Entertainment, Le Studio Canal+ S.A., Produced by; James Cameron, Edited by; Conrad Buff, Mark Goldblatt, Richard A. Harris, Music by; Brad Fiedel.
  23. NASA. Hall L. NASA's Ironman-Like Exoskeleton Could Give Astronauts, Paraplegics Improved Mobility and Strength, First Publ., Aug 2, 2013, https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/- images/724154main_exoskeleton_466.jpg. Last updated: Aug 7th, 2017, last access: Apr 2nd, 2021.
  24. Star Wars, Episode V, Director: Irvin Kershner, Production company; Lucasfilm Ltd., Produced by‎: ‎Gary Kurtz, Edited by‎: ‎Paul Hirsch, Screenplay by; Leigh Brackett; Lawrence Kasdan, Music by: John Williams.
  25. Pohl R. Donna Haraway's A Cyborg Manifesto, ISBN 9780429818714, series The Macat Library, 2019, Publisher: Macat Library.
  26. Haraway DJ, Wolfe C. Manifestly Haraway, ISBN 9781452950136, series Posthumanities, 2016, Publisher: University of Minnesota Press. https://doi.org/10.5749/minnesota/9780816650477.001.0001
  27. Al-Quraishi M, Elamvazuthi I, Asmah Daud S, et al. EEGBased Control for Upper and Lower Limb Exoskeletons and Prostheses: A Systematic Review, 2018; 18: pp. 27, Sensors. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18103342