PROJECTS
Current Projects
Some of our projects are proprietary. Here are a few of the things we’re working on now.
RANGER MAX
RANGER MAX is an open-source humanoid robot developed to an early prototype stage at Cornell University, with help from a National Science Foundation grant. It weighs 30 kg and stands 1.5 m tall. Its design is intended to give dynamic performance rivaling the robots from Boston Dynamics, while enabling highly energy-efficient walking and running. Simulation results suggest that the robot should be able to walk at a normal human pace for 10 km on a single charge of a 2 kg lithium-polymer battery. In addition to legged robots, RANGER MAX’s technology could be of value in a range of fields, from UAVs to exoskeletons and prosthetic devices.
Dynaloco has licensed the technology from Cornell for further development but the original open-source design files continue to be available here. Contact sales@dynaloco.com for more information on our technology or robotics internship opportunities.
PROTOTYPE HIGH-POWER LINEAR ACTUATOR
Optimized selection of motor, transmission, and driver, along with FEA-refined hardware design, gives these actuators industry-leading power- and force-to-weight ratios. The actuator shown has a peak force of 4400 N, a peak speed of 0.5 m/s, and an estimated peak power of 1100 W, with a weight of 1.1 kg. A similar but larger actuator design gives a peak force of 4900 N, a peak speed of 1 m/s, and an estimated peak power of 2450 W, with a weight of 1.9 kg.
Contact sales@dynaloco.com if you are looking for an actuator design for your autonomous robot, exoskeleton, or prosthetic.
OPEN-SOURCE MOTOR DRIVER PROJECT
Developed along with our biped robot, these motor driver boards and related electronic hardware are designed for extreme peak power capability, while keeping quiescent power consumption to a minimum. As shown here, the motor driver has a peak power output of 100 amps RMS, with a DC input voltage of up to 70 volts. The allowable average current will vary with the heat sink design, from about 30 amps (air-cooled, minimal heat sink) to 100 amps (water-cooled). This design stands out from the competition for its very low quiescent power, at less than 500 mW when driving zero current to the motor. This makes it suitable for a wide range of battery-powered robot applications, particularly those with dozens of motors running at typically low power levels. The rest of the CAN-FD bus-based support boards (force and angle sensors, etc.) are also designed for very low battery drain.
Dynaloco has licensed the technology from Cornell for further development, but the original open-source design files continue to be available here. Contact sales@dynaloco.com for more information on our technology or robot-related internship opportunities.
SAILVANE
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a small, low-cost, autonomous robotic sailboat that uses an innovative sail arrangement and weather-optimized navigation system. With a combination of affordability and utility, the technology represents a new approach for widespread oceanic data collection. This technology can be deployed virtually anywhere in the ocean, can be small (2 meters or less), and is 100% wind- and solar-powered. The research in this project seeks to further this technology by advancing two innovations: passive directional stability and weather-optimized navigation. Unlike most other robotic sailboats, the proposed USV does not need active steering to hold a course, once set. Further, the proposed USV has a navigation system that exploits the spatial and temporal variance in the weather and uses local weather data to direct the boats to navigate more efficiently.
Past Projects
MINI AIRCRAFT CARRIER
The world’s smallest aircraft carrier? Developed along with other Aerovel Corporation personnel, this mini aircraft carrier can autonomously launch, land, refuel, restart, and relaunch the company’s VTOL long-range UAV. See the full demonstration video here.
Contact sales@dynaloco.com to discuss ways we can help you with your machine design project.
RANGER
Cornell University’s Ranger robot was developed by a team of students working with company co-founders Andy Ruina (principal investigator) and Jason Cortell (lab manager and lead engineer). Unlike other walking robots that use position control of every angle of every limb, Ranger emulates human walking; the motors work with gravity and leg dynamics to swing the legs. For a time Ranger held the world record for nonstop robot walking distance, at 65 kilometers on one battery charge. The goal of the research was not only to advance robotics but also to learn more about the mechanics of walking. Besides building better robots, applications include rehabilitation and prosthetics for humans, and even improved athletic performance. See more Ranger videos here.
Contact sales@dynaloco.com for more information on our technology or robotics internship opportunities.
HOPPER
Developed with the Robotics Laboratory at UCSB, the FRANK hopper robot is a fully 3D cable-driven electric monopod. When equipped with the right sensors and controls it can leave its boom behind and take to the streets, with hours of operation on a single battery charge.
Contact sales@dynaloco.com if you would like us to build a new and improved version of FRANK for your lab or other application.
DEXTROUS ROBOTICS DX-1 MOBILE LOGISTICS ROBOT
The DX-1 is a powerful new autonomous and mobile robot for the logistics industry, allowing for fast, efficient and adaptable unloading of parcels from trailers and containers. Dynaloco worked in close collaboration with the Memphis-based Dextrous Robotics team to create DX-1s hardware. Its proprietary AI and vision systems, combined with versatile “chopsticks” manipulator arms, can quickly identify and grasp a wide variety of package types, from type boxes to bags and tires. In addition, the DX-1 robot is designed for extreme speed, capable of unloading 2,000 packages per hour. Learn more at Dextrous Robotics, and watch the video preview above.
