Robotic gecko

• Main Author: Lim, Louis Jiong Hang
• Other Authors: Hong Li
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177127
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project explores the conception and development of a robotic gecko, inspired by the remarkable aptitude of geckos at climbing steep walls and negotiating difficult environments. The goal of this project is to create a robotic system that mimics the adhesion mechanisms and mobility of geckos by utilizing biomimicry principles and recent developments in soft robotics. The main goal was to develop a pneumatic robotic gecko using soft pneumatic actuators and a pneumatic body system in order to address the drawbacks of existing gecko-inspired robots, which are frequently heavy, challenging and have limited range of motion. The technology used is centered on the creation of soft pneumatic actuators with Ecoflex silicone and a pneumatic body system that is created by combining pneumatic engineering for mobility with nanoimprint techniques for leg design. By using this novel technique, a robot that can imitate the movements of geckos with a minimum bend angle of 30° was created, improving its agility and environment adaptation. The robot can imitate the movements of a gecko, according to preliminary data. This shows promise for applications in fields where traditional robots are limited, like industrial maintenance and search and rescue operations. The study highlights the potential of soft robotics and biomimicry in engineering applications and establishes the foundation for future developments in robotic mobility and adaptability.