Flapping-Wing Robot Achieves Multi-Domain Locomotion Using Transformable Wheel Mechanism

The difficulty of moving from aquatic to aerial environment is one of the major challenges limiting the development of trans-medium multi-domain locomotion vehicles. In this paper, the concept of the transformable wheel, a feature commonly found in autonomous land vehicles (AL V s), is introduced into the design. Additionally, a flapping-wing robot equipped with multi-domain locomotion capability, which can not only realize aerial flight and surface navigation on water, but also ascend from water to land for subsequent takeoff is presented. The paper first introduces the system design of the robot and proposes the corresponding multi-domain locomotion strategy. Subsequently, the design of the transformable wheel mechanism is described in detail and the force analysis for the water-exit is conducted. The feasibility of the proposed strategy is experimentally validated, confirming the prototype's multi-domain locomotion performance finally. This research explores the feasibility of introducing the transformable wheel mechanism into trans-medium multi-domain vehicle platforms and provides a design example.