Motion planning for anguilliform locomotion

We investigate issues of control and motion planning for a biomimetic robotic system. Previous work has shown that a successful approach to solving the motion planning problem is to decouple it into the two subproblems of trajectory generation (feedforward controls) and feedback regulation. In this paper, we investigate basic issues of momentum generation for a class of dynamic mobile robots, focusing on eel-like swimming robots. We develop theoretical justification for a forward gait that has been observed in nature, and for a turning gait, used in our control laws, that has not been extensively studied in the biological literature. We also explore theoretical predictions for novel gaits for turning and sideways swimming. Finally, we present results from experiments in motion planning for a biomimetic robotic system. We show good agreement with theory for both open and closed-loop control of our modular, five-link, underwater swimming robot using image-based position sensing in an aquatic environment.

I. Introduction

Mobile robots continue to challenge researchers with new applications in a variety of environments. Of recent interest has been the application of robotic technology to underwater exploration, monitoring, and surveillance [1], [2]. In this paper, we explore the modeling, simulation, and design of controllers for eel-like robotic systems capable of both crawling overland and underwater swimming.