This project will focus on the development of a multi-terrain robotic platform that will be combining a speedboat platform and deployable wings for providing aircraft capabilities to the platform. The idea is to create a seaplane that can fully fold its wings becoming an efficient speedboat. The plan is to use the developed platform for the inspection of remote water bodies such as the Tymfi Dragon Lake in Greece: https://www.visitgreece.gr/experiences/nature/lakes/tymfi_dragon_lake/
The speedboats will be developed based on a modular hull and a waterjet propulsion system that will both be 3D printed. The speedboat design will need to be easy to replicate and maintain, as well as to accommodate all the sensors needed for autonomous navigation, such as, LiDAR, monocular vision, GPS and more. Water-jets allow the platform to: i) operate in shallow waters, ii) reduce the risk of entanglement, and iii) reduce any risk of injury to users or sealife. The efficiency of the speedboats has been experimentally validated through velocity, thrust, and efficiency testing and real-world deployment in previous projects.
The deplyable wings will be based on shape-morphing structures with aerofoil-shaped artificial feathers. The pigeon's wing skeletal structure will serve as the basis for the design, and the wing that will be developed will be fully tendon-driven employing a single motor for contracting and extending each side.
Videos of past research:
More details about the team can be found in: www.newdexterity.org
Undergraduate
A multi-terrain robotic platform combining a robotic speedboat and deployable wing based aircraft capabilities.
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Mechatronics Research (405.822, Lab)