Architecture and design of industrial and service robots

The development of innovative robotic solutions is one of the most important research areas for the MEC (Mechanical and Machine Construction) department.

In the current industrial landscape, manufacturing robotics is particularly widespread in areas where it is sufficient to perform linear sequences of cyclically repeated operations. This paradigm is particularly effective for large-scale production, but it is not applicable to all cases requiring flexibility, extensive collaboration with human operators, and frequent modifications to the product and production cycle. The development of innovative industrial robotic solutions aims precisely to meet these needs, thereby expanding the fields of application.

Service robotics, the other major macro-sector of robotics, has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years. A key research topic is the development of locomotion systems capable of combining energy efficiency, speed on uniform and compact terrain, and the ability to overcome obstacles, steps, and stairs, allowing them to operate in unstructured environments. Hybrid solutions, in particular, combining wheels, legs, and tracks, allow them to address a wide variety of operating conditions.

DIME researchers have extensive experience developing industrial robotics and mobile robotics solutions.

The figures show some examples:
Fig. 1 – AUTORECON prototype: AUTOnomus co-operative machines for highly reconfigurable assembly operations of the future
Fig. 2 – MANTIS prototype: small-scale mobile robot with hybrid wheeled and legged locomotion for surveillance and inspection in unstructured environments
Fig. 3 – ROBOCLIMBER prototype: legged and rope-climbing robot for rock wall consolidation

Laboratories

Mechanical Computer Aided Engineering (MCAELab)

Mechanical Design for Automation and Robotics (PMARLab)

Publications

  • Keerthi Sagara, Luis De Leonardo, Rezia Molfino, Teresa Zielinska, Cezary, Zielinskic, Dimiter Zlatanov, Matteo Zoppi, The SwarmItFix Pilot, Procedia Manufacturing, 11, 413-422, 2017.
  • Shengnan Lu, Zeshan Ahmad, Matteo Zoppi, Xilun Ding, Dimiter Zlatanov, Rezia Molfino, Design and Testing of a Highly Reconfigurable Fixture With Lockable Robotic Arms, ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, 138(8):085001, 2016.
  • Matteo Zoppi, Rezia Molfino, Equilibrium analysis of multi-limbs walking and climbing robots, Autonomous Robots 21(3), 199-210, 2006.
  • Luca Bruzzone, Pietro Fanghella, Giuseppe Quaglia, Experimental performance assessment of mantis 2, hybrid leg-wheel mobile robot, International Journal of Automation Technology, 11(3), 396-403, 2017.
  • Giuseppe Quaglia, Luca Bruzzone, Giorgio Bozzini, Riccardo Oderio, Roberto Razzoli, Epi.q-TG: mobile robot for surveillance, Industrial Robot, 38(3), 282-291, 2011.
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