Project Details

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Robotic Measurement System for Ground–Contact Forces Across Terrains for Adaptive Mobility

Company: Penn State University

Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: EE
Optional: CMPEN, CMPSC, ESC

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

This project focuses on the design and validation of a modular end-effector that could enable controlled drag interactions with diverse terrains while measuring terrain-dependent contact forces. The end-effector should integrate sensing and mechanical design features to support repeatable measurements under varying loads and motion conditions. By isolating terrain interaction effects at the end-effector level, the project should provide a transferable hardware tool for systematically characterizing surface interaction properties. The resulting measurements will support the development of terrain-aware adaptation strategies for mobility and locomotion assistance for people with mobility-related disabilities on different surfaces.