MORE | Spring 2024

Design of Testbed for Testing of Screw-Propelled Vehicles in Granular Media and at Reduced Gravity

This study focuses on the development and optimization of a snake-shaped robot, utilizing the Project Chrono simulation framework to analyze its interaction with granulated media. The research examines the performance of the robot within various granulated environments, including media with clumped structures and materials composed of randomly sized particles and different shapes, such as spheres and cubes. The simulations aim to identify optimal configurations and movements for the snake-shaped robot, enhancing its navigability and efficiency in complex terrains. By integrating a motor model code within a Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) framework, this research provides insights into the mechanical behavior and potential applications of snake-shaped robotics in real-world scenarios.