Abstract: Underwater self-reconfigurable system (USS), an underwater self-reconfigurable robot consisting of two types of modules, can reform various configurations in real time. Compared with normal underwater robots, its diverse configurations bring forward good adaptability and more abundant gaits. For the tree-like configurations, we propose a technique for dynamic modeling and configuration description. The eel-like configuration and the octopus-like one are chosen as examples to verify the technique, and some gaits are designed. For the eel-like configuration with the serpentine gait, the technique gives the same simulation results as existing eel-like models. For other cases, simulation results are consistent well with what happens in nature.

Key words: self-reconfigurable robot| eel-like| octopus-like| serpentine

摘要： Underwater self-reconfigurable system (USS), an underwater self-reconfigurable robot consisting of two types of modules, can reform various configurations in real time. Compared with normal underwater robots, its diverse configurations bring forward good adaptability and more abundant gaits. For the tree-like configurations, we propose a technique for dynamic modeling and configuration description. The eel-like configuration and the octopus-like one are chosen as examples to verify the technique, and some gaits are designed. For the eel-like configuration with the serpentine gait, the technique gives the same simulation results as existing eel-like models. For other cases, simulation results are consistent well with what happens in nature.

关键词: self-reconfigurable robot| eel-like| octopus-like| serpentine