Flexible Screen Integration and Development of Neck Movement Mechanism for Social Humanoid Robot SemuBot

Abstract

Effective communication and interaction are pivotal for integrating humanoid robots into human-centric environments. Central to the functionality of a social humanoid robot is its ability to engage with humans through facial expressions and neck movement gestures. This thesis focuses on the critical task of designing and implementing solutions for the face of a humanoid robot and developing a corresponding neck mechanism to enhance the communicative abilities of humanoid robots. The research entails designing, experimenting, and integrating a work solution for a humanoid robot's face and neck mechanism of a social humanoid robot, SemuBot. The project uses computer-aided design modelling and 3D printing. The implementation involves utilising specialised hardware such as flexible screens, stepper motors for neck actuation, and microcontrollers for seamless integration and control. Additionally, the development process involves iterative design, testing, and integration of the flexible screen and neck mechanism. This work culminates in presenting a functional prototype, demonstrating the proposed facial and neck mechanism solutions' efficacy in enhancing the robot's social interaction capabilities and overall human-like appearance.