Modular Robotics - M-Blocks

1. MODULAR ROBOTICS-
M-BLOCKS
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Guided by,
Assistant Prof: MRS JUBAIRA MAMMOO
Presented by,
NITHIN GEORGE
S7 EC
Roll no: 31

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Modular robots
• Types of modular robots
• Molecube
• M-blocks
• Working
• Application
• Limitation
• Conclusion
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3. INTRODUCTION
• What if robots could reassemble themselves.
• As in the film Transformers, wherein alien robots morph from
cars and trucks into giant humanoid fighting machines.
• We are going to explore such type of robots.
• They are called as Modular Robots or Self assembling robots.
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4. MODULAR ROBOT
• Modular robot is made of small units which consist of
common or different hardware parts and shape.
• These units can be connected by any means of locking or
connecting mechanism to perform a specified task.
• They change its shape by rearranging each units.
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5. TYPES OF MODULAR ROBOT
Two main types
• Molecube
• Pivoting cube or M-Block
Fig 1: Molecube
Fig 2: Pivoting cube
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6. MOLECUBE
• Molecubes are sliding cube
model.
• Each module move by sliding
over the other block.
Fig 3: Pattern of molecube
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7. MOVEMENT OF MOLECUBE
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8. M-BLOCK OR PIVOTING CUBE
• To overcome lack of independent motion of molecubes.
• They can exhibit several motions
Rolling.
Spinning in plane.
Jumping.
• They are controlled by a single actuator.
Fig :M blocks movement
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9. MOVEMENT OF M-BLOCKS
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10. FEATURES
• Weight –143g.
• Constructed from 50mm cubic frame using
Aluminium.
• Have 24 cylindrical bonding magnet on the edges.
• Each face has 8 outward facing magnet that assist in
alignment between neighboring models.
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M-Block

11. ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
• Battery –3.7V 125 mAh LiPo.
• The MPU6050 -Three axis gyroscope.
• BLDC (brushless DC motor).
• Custom built PCB board.
• Microcontroller -32bit ARM processor.
• Communication –Xbee(802.11.4).
Fig :M-Block
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12. STRUCTURE AND DESIGN
• When two cubes approach each other, the magnets naturally
rotate, so that north poles align with south, and vice versa.
• On each face of a cube are four more pairs of smaller
magnets.
• Any face of any cube can thus attach to any face of any
other.
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13. WORKING OF M-BLOCK
• A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device.
• The flywheel can reach speeds of
20,000rpm.
• It store rotational energy.
• Brakes impart angular momentum to the
module.
Fig : Flywheel section
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14. Cont…
• To detach from the magnetic bond ,it need to provide a
torque for a relative short period of time.
• Therefore actuator needs to release energy in a short period
of time
• To create an impulsive torque required to detach the cube
from magnetic bond.
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15. Cont…
• For this a BELT type braking system is used, it is actuated by
a servo motor.
Fig : Braking of flywheel
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16. APPLICATIONS
• Building massive structures
• Defense technology
• Fire fighting
• Medical applications
• Space exploration
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17.  BUILDING MASSIVE STRUCTURES
• Reduces the hard ships in civil engineering.
• Reduces number of different construction tools
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18.  FIRE FIGHTING
• To enter a building through small entrances.
• To support the building from collapse.
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19. Cont…
• To get past obstacles and reach the structures that need to
be repaired.
• To save people trapped under fallen buildings
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20.  DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY
• Revolutionize the military warfare style.
• Can dodge incoming shells by opening a hole in any
direction.
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21.  MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
• To perform an operation without open up the patient.
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22. LIMITATIONS
• Technology is still in infancy.
• Current cost is very high
• Needs very precise & flexible controlling software.
• Lack of development in the field of NANO technology
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23. CONCLUSION
• It may take few years to make commercial appearance .
• It will not take much time for it to be used in our everyday
life.
• Using Modular Robots will help in saving economy, time etc .
• Has endless possibilities for further development.
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24. REFERENCES
• John W. Romanishin, Kyle Gilpin and Daniela Rus
“M-Blocks:Momentum-driven, Magnetic Modular Robots”
IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and
Systems (IROS), Tokyo, Japan. November 3-7, 2013.
• Cynthia Sung, James Bern, John Romanishin, and Daniela Rus
“Reconfiguration Planning for Pivoting Cube Modular Robots” -
2015 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and
Automation (ICRA)Washington State Convention Center
Seattle, Washington, May 26-30, 2015 24

25. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
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QUESTIONS ?