A review of actuation and power electronics options for flapping-wing robotic insects

Flapping-wing robotic insects require actuators with high power densities at centimeter to micrometer scales. Due to the low weight budget, the selection and design of the actuation mechanism needs to be considered in parallel with the design of the power electronics required to drive it. This paper...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in2008 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation pp. 779 - 786
Main Authors Karpelson, M., Gu-Yeon Wei, Wood, R.J.
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.05.2008
Subjects
actuator
Actuators
Aerodynamics
Frequency
Insects
MAV
microrobots
Orbital robotics
Power electronics
Robotics and automation
Robots
Space exploration
Space technology
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Summary:Flapping-wing robotic insects require actuators with high power densities at centimeter to micrometer scales. Due to the low weight budget, the selection and design of the actuation mechanism needs to be considered in parallel with the design of the power electronics required to drive it. This paper explores the design space of flapping-wing microrobots weighing lg and under by determining mechanical requirements for the actuation mechanism, analyzing potential actuation technologies, and discussing the design and realization of the required power electronics. Promising combinations of actuators and power circuits are identified and used to estimate microrobot performance.
ISBN:1424416469
9781424416462
ISSN:1050-4729
DOI:10.1109/ROBOT.2008.4543300