Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Benjamin Heckel, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Benjamin Heckel
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Cagri Kilic
Abstract
Exploring planetary surfaces presents a major challenge for robotic systems, as traditional wheels and legs often struggle with uneven, unpredictable, and steep terrain. Nature offers a potential solution: mountain goats navigate rough landscapes with ease due to the unique structure and materials of their hooves. This project seeks to develop a robotic hoof that mimics these natural advantages, improving traction, durability, and adaptability for extraterrestrial exploration. To achieve this, the project will focus on selecting materials that closely replicate the composition of an organic hoof. The early prototypes will be printed in 3-D using cost-effective materials, while the final design will incorporate high-performance polymers to improve strength and resilience. In addition, specialized grip materials will be tested to improve surface traction. The final design will be tested for durability and grip using mathematical models and physical experiments on simulated planetary surfaces. The results of this research could improve robotic mobility in space exploration, particularly for missions to the Moon or Mars. Beyond space applications, this work has potential benefits for prosthetics, soft robotics, and other fields that require adaptable high-performance materials. The findings will be shared through research symposiums, conference submissions, and possible journal publications. By combining bio inspired design with innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, this project aims to advance the development of robotic systems capable of navigating extreme environments. Although previous studies on robotic hooves have focused on geometric accuracy and joint compliance, few have explored the integration of high-performance materials for extraterrestrial environments. This project uniquely combines bio-mimetic material selection, hybrid soft-rigid integration, and advanced manufacturing techniques such as Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM) to enhance traction, durability, and adaptability. The results will contribute to planetary mobility systems, filling a critical gap in robotic surface navigation.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Advanced Manufacturing and Materials of a Bio-mimetic Hoof for Space Robotics Applications
Exploring planetary surfaces presents a major challenge for robotic systems, as traditional wheels and legs often struggle with uneven, unpredictable, and steep terrain. Nature offers a potential solution: mountain goats navigate rough landscapes with ease due to the unique structure and materials of their hooves. This project seeks to develop a robotic hoof that mimics these natural advantages, improving traction, durability, and adaptability for extraterrestrial exploration. To achieve this, the project will focus on selecting materials that closely replicate the composition of an organic hoof. The early prototypes will be printed in 3-D using cost-effective materials, while the final design will incorporate high-performance polymers to improve strength and resilience. In addition, specialized grip materials will be tested to improve surface traction. The final design will be tested for durability and grip using mathematical models and physical experiments on simulated planetary surfaces. The results of this research could improve robotic mobility in space exploration, particularly for missions to the Moon or Mars. Beyond space applications, this work has potential benefits for prosthetics, soft robotics, and other fields that require adaptable high-performance materials. The findings will be shared through research symposiums, conference submissions, and possible journal publications. By combining bio inspired design with innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, this project aims to advance the development of robotic systems capable of navigating extreme environments. Although previous studies on robotic hooves have focused on geometric accuracy and joint compliance, few have explored the integration of high-performance materials for extraterrestrial environments. This project uniquely combines bio-mimetic material selection, hybrid soft-rigid integration, and advanced manufacturing techniques such as Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM) to enhance traction, durability, and adaptability. The results will contribute to planetary mobility systems, filling a critical gap in robotic surface navigation.