Vibration-Assisted Dual-Helix Burrowing Robot for Enhanced Locomotion in Granular Media
摘要
Locomotion in granular media poses significant challenges due to high resistance, heterogeneous interactions, and lift forces arising from pressure gradients. This paper presents a novel burrowing robot that combines dual-helix propulsion with a high-frequency vibration mechanism to improve mobility in such environments. The robot is equipped with a wedge-shaped head and lateral fins to mitigate lift forces and enhance vertical stability. A series of comparative experiments under varying configurations—vibration on/off and fin presence/absence—were conducted to evaluate the effects of each component. Results show that high-frequency vibration significantly reduces resistance by locally fluidizing the medium, while the lateral fins effectively suppress lift-induced drift. The integrated system demonstrated improved locomotion efficiency, consistent forward progression, and enhanced robustness against jamming. This work provides a practical and scalable approach for robotic locomotion in unstructured particulate terrains.