肩部に備えた車輪で転倒時の衝撃緩和を図る車輪移動変形型ヒューマノイド

概要

Humanoid robots are capable of walking and holding an object. However, they easily fall on uneven surfaces and move less efficiently than wheeled robots. Although various shock mitigation approaches have been proposed for falls, these applicability is limited by irreversibility and inadequate performance on uneven terrain. This study proposes a humanoid robot featuring passive wheels on its shoulders to absorb impact and active wheels on its legs. When the robot falls, it passively transforms into a wheeled mode, allowing it to move to level ground where it can safely recover its upright posture. The shoulder wheels, wrapped in urethane spacer tape, absorb impact forces, reducing damage. Furthermore, the system prevents the grasped object from making contact with the ground, thereby mitigating impact from falls. Experiments have demonstrated effective shock absorption, successful recovery from uneven terrain, and protection of the grasped object.

収録
日本機械学会ロボティクス・メカトロニクス講演会2025 (ROBOMECH2025)