Self Reconfigurable Modular Robotics: Lego Mock-ups (Part 1 of 2)

[jamilnielsen]

it could be used for anything

you could even give them the ability to communicate together and find and use by them self Special Component

this shape will i believe can do far more then the square version of this.

[KarpatycGhost]

This thing keeps reminding me of a micro organism but with missing nucleus

[dannes22]

so, this is like nanobots?

[DesmondInnovation]

Not necessarily. It's for any scale, to which the geometric motion concept applies.

[dannes22]

@DesmondInnovation But it will probobly be mostly used for nanobots I am guessing. // Replicators anyone? ( if you dont understand that watch stargate SG-1/Atlantis (:

[mtdeezy]

so is there a point to this thing or is it just pretty

[DesmondInnovation]

A point: with the right design, automation can be broadened & streamlined to cover a far greater range of tasks by making it a programmed process. Technology can be simplified from being countless different devices & machines for every task to one simple type of element (module) that connects to others just like it to perform those tasks - with more flexibility & less hindrance, on top of that.

These Lego prototype mock-ups show the mechanical aspects of how these elements can work together.

[RoyOrbiton]

Very impressive.

[magicmike5462]

I see you made this around a year ago are you still working on it or was it just a one off thing?

[DesmondInnovation]

Still working on it - better & complete versions with CNC rapid prototyping.

[magicmike5462]

Would you mind posting another video so we can see your progress because as i said your last video was a year ago?

[DesmondInnovation]

I appreciate your enthusiastic interest, unfortunately (sorry to say) right now I don't have anything produced, yet. I wish I could get things done much more quickly, but without the money & other necessary resources this is very difficult to do. These Lego mock-ups - even with their limitations, etc. - weren't cheap or simple to create, either. Basically the first thing I plan on doing once I get some samples is to take similar videos and post them both here on Youtube and on my website.

[nathanel1313]

is this lego mockup only an illustration of a concept and sort of topological design of the modules, or is it a full model of how you'd like your modules to look like? if the second option, then how to you intend to drag such big and probably heavy cells by using such seemingly fragile arms? also, the rotating connectors have to be driven by something rather powerful, so that they can rotate the whole connection between 2 cells - do you plan to have the drive at the end of an arm or in the cell?

[DesmondInnovation]

Thanks for asking - it's basically the 1st (a "manual" mockup). With Legos I tried to come as close to approximating them as the available pieces & my prototyping budget would allow.

The "real" thing would ideally & first of all be a very light & strong material. The overall shape would be a bit different from what you see here, which looks more like a distorted skeleton.

[DesmondInnovation]

The telescoping shaft would be round or rectangular and thicker segments that work similar to what you see on some mobile cranes, but not as long.

Actuation strength would come from high ratio-reduced geared output from the motors. They need to move very slowly & combined with other modules the mesh can probably be very fast.

For the plate, the motor & gear mechanism would be mounted underneath the plate & around the telescoping shaft.

[nathanel1313]

yeah, I know that the working prototype would be much stronger that legos :) thanks for answer about actuation on the connector plate. I asked above questions because similar projects usually use a very compact design that allows them to be much stronger. I'm not saying that your design is wrong - it just may be more difficult with the mentioned areas :) oh and btw your prototyping budget wasn't that low as Legos tend to be pretty expensive ;P

anyway great work, keep working on it!

[bazmarc]

nice research project,,, now add an NXT in each of those clusters :) ... ahhhh no seriously this is pretty cool SRMR design and i'm very very happy you chose LEGO to demonstrate it.

[b2c2552]

Nanites?

[Metactyl]

awesome work

[Dyzm]

thats soooo boring!

[DesmondInnovation]

Perhaps. The purpose of this video is to inform, not to amuse or to entertain.

Do you understand or have any idea of what it's about? Why did you bother to watch this - to begin with?

[Dyzm]

I wanted to see actual modular robots not lego models ..THATS BORING!!

[DesmondInnovation]

Well, okay - then in that case, why would you like to see (actual) modular robots?

I'd love to be able to put some powered self-reconfigurable modules, instead of Lego mock-ups, out there on videos online and on the market. Unfortunately I don't have the resources needed to do this right now.

If you haven't done so already, I suggest you check out M-TRAN, USC superbot, ATRON, Victor Zykov's work, and Mark Yim's work (to name a few) - all available here on YouTube.

[Dyzm]

Look in all seriousness I think you have a good idea here and if I had the funds I would sponsor your research, but seriously 10 mins and its only part one, if you want to attract interest from people who aren't nerds like myself you should condense a little.Just my thoughts.keep up the good work.

[DesmondInnovation]

Thanks for the feedback.

If you haven't seen it already I do have a part 2 of 2, as well as a few other clips - most of which are less than 30 seconds in running length.

[HollowContact]

If someone can't concentrate on something for 10 minutes they probably are too ignorant or stupid to understand the content/purpose of it anyway

[Dyzm]

The illustrious and famous Desmond and I have already been through this your a bit late.

[naxps]

A-choo