Engineering the locusts: Hind leg modelling towards the design of a bio-inspired space hopper

The mechanical operation of a biologically inspired robot hopper is presented. This design is based on the hind leg dynamics and jumping gait of a desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). The biological mechanism is represented as a lumped mass system. This emulates the muscle activation sequence and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part K, Journal of multi-body dynamics Journal of multi-body dynamics, 2016-12, Vol.230 (4), p.455-468
Main Authors: Punzo, Giuliano, McGookin, Euan W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomimetics
Design analysis
Design engineering
Dynamics
Gait
Hoppers
Locusts
Mechanical engineering
Robots
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Summary:The mechanical operation of a biologically inspired robot hopper is presented. This design is based on the hind leg dynamics and jumping gait of a desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). The biological mechanism is represented as a lumped mass system. This emulates the muscle activation sequence and gait responsible for the long, coordinated jump of locusts, whilst providing an engineering equivalent for the design of a biological inspired hopper for planetary exploration. Despite the crude simplification, performance compares well against biological data found in the literature and scaling towards size more typical of robotic realisation are considered from an engineering point of view. This aspect makes an important contribution to knowledge as it quantifies the balance between biological similarity and efficiency of the biomimetic hopping mechanism. Further, this work provides useful information towards the biomimetic design of a hopper vehicle whilst the analysis uncover the range maximisation conditions for powered flight at constant thrust by analytic means. The proposed design bridges concepts looking at the gait dynamics and designs oriented to extended, full powered trajectories.
ISSN:1464-4193
2041-3068
DOI:10.1177/1464419315624852