Development of a 6 degree-of-freedom manipulator arm for use on an urban search and rescue robot

Abstract

This document reports on the design, construction and testing of the manipulator arm that is to be fitted to UCT's Urban Search and Rescue Robot (USRR), named the Ratel. The 6 degree-of-freedom manipulator arm is mounted on the crawler base. The USRR is designed to traverse difficult terrain in search of survivors. The base is therefore equipped with variable geometry tracks to enable it to traverse stairs and other tricky terrain. The sensor payload is equipped with life detection equipment and the manipulator arm enables the USRR to manipulate with its environment (opening doors etc.) and to interact with survivors, passing them water or food packs.