Nwako, Cyril: Applications of Cable Driven Robots
Title: Applications of Cable Driven Robots
Name: Cyril Nwako
Major: Mechanical Engineering
School affiliation: School of Engineering
Programs: James J. Slade Scholars Program
Other contributors: not listed
Abstract: Robotics are becoming more popular and accessible with each passing day. In order to investigate the uses of robotic technology, this research study focuses on experimenting with a cable driven robot arm for applications in a household setting. The motivation for this research stemmed from the idea of using a robot arm to feed a person who cannot feed themselves such as an elder, a child, or a person with a disability. Using a robot arm to physically deliver food to a user’s mouth requires many delicate arm movements that need to be controlled precisely to avoid missing the target or injuring the intended food recipient. In the interest of learning how to better understand the dynamics and controls required to produce such delicate arm movements, this research project seeks to use a robot arm equipped with cable ropes and electronic motors to throw a rubber ball. The foundation of the system has been constructed, the limbs of the robot arm have been 3D printed, and the required electronics have been acquired. Once the cable driven robot arm is calibrated to precisely throw the ball at a preset height, distance, and trajectory consistently, the system will be more suitable to use for feeding food to a user in a domestic setting.