Robovolc - A robot for volcano exploration
Pang Sze Yong U0204779
Pang Sze Yong U0204779
The Robovolc is a robot developed jointly by Università di CATANIA (ITALY), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (ITALY), Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris (FRANCE), University of Leeds (U.K.), ROBOSOFT (FRANCE) and BAE Systems (U.K.).
The main objective of developing this robot is to reduce the risks volcanologists need to face in their study of volcanos. During the paroxismal phases of eruptions, the data that can be collected from volcano vents are of the greatest interest and use to scientific understanding of volcanic activity. Unfortunately it is also the most dangerous period as well. There have been cases of volcanologists who have died or suffered serious personal injuries while trying to collect these data.
The challenges faced in the project is to coordinate the various partners and foster cooperation. Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of this project, expertise from different areas are brought together, such as volcanologists, software, communications and robotic platforms experts.
Over three years, the project was developed stage by stage with milestones and objectives to ensure that progress was on time. Firstly, a common understanding between the needs of volcanologists and financial constrains on the project has to be established. The problem to be tackled is carefully defined and requirements also laid out.
The robot was to be based on a modular design and in the second year, the details of each subsystem were fleshed out and development work is started. An important result during this year is the decision on the method of locomotion. The robot was to be a wheeled vehicle with a highly adaptive chassis.
In the third year, integration plans were drawn and continuously updated. The various subsystems were brought together one by one for integration and testing. Firstly, the wheeled platform was constructed. It is integrated with the motion control board and wireless radio link modules. Next, the construction of the SCARA manipulator and gripper was completed. The first version of the software to control navigation of the robot platform and manipulator was then released and tested. The required sensors were purchased and tested in integration. The sensors were also integrated with the manipulator and gripper to ensure compatability. Finally the complete robot is tested in laboratory before field trials.
The Robovolc was successful in the field and due to its modular nature, several new modular parts were swapped in to improve the robots functionality in different situations. Many photographs and videos of the robot in the field and laboratory are available on the website for viewing.
Reference : http://www.robovolc.dees.unict.it/
Pang Sze Yong U0204779
The Robovolc is a robot developed jointly by Università di CATANIA (ITALY), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (ITALY), Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris (FRANCE), University of Leeds (U.K.), ROBOSOFT (FRANCE) and BAE Systems (U.K.).
The main objective of developing this robot is to reduce the risks volcanologists need to face in their study of volcanos. During the paroxismal phases of eruptions, the data that can be collected from volcano vents are of the greatest interest and use to scientific understanding of volcanic activity. Unfortunately it is also the most dangerous period as well. There have been cases of volcanologists who have died or suffered serious personal injuries while trying to collect these data.
The challenges faced in the project is to coordinate the various partners and foster cooperation. Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of this project, expertise from different areas are brought together, such as volcanologists, software, communications and robotic platforms experts.
Over three years, the project was developed stage by stage with milestones and objectives to ensure that progress was on time. Firstly, a common understanding between the needs of volcanologists and financial constrains on the project has to be established. The problem to be tackled is carefully defined and requirements also laid out.
The robot was to be based on a modular design and in the second year, the details of each subsystem were fleshed out and development work is started. An important result during this year is the decision on the method of locomotion. The robot was to be a wheeled vehicle with a highly adaptive chassis.
In the third year, integration plans were drawn and continuously updated. The various subsystems were brought together one by one for integration and testing. Firstly, the wheeled platform was constructed. It is integrated with the motion control board and wireless radio link modules. Next, the construction of the SCARA manipulator and gripper was completed. The first version of the software to control navigation of the robot platform and manipulator was then released and tested. The required sensors were purchased and tested in integration. The sensors were also integrated with the manipulator and gripper to ensure compatability. Finally the complete robot is tested in laboratory before field trials.
The Robovolc was successful in the field and due to its modular nature, several new modular parts were swapped in to improve the robots functionality in different situations. Many photographs and videos of the robot in the field and laboratory are available on the website for viewing.
Reference : http://www.robovolc.dees.unict.it/
