Soft Machines: Challenges to Computational Dynamics

The paper surveys the recent studies of authors on the dynamic modeling and simulation of soft machines in the frame of multibody system dynamics. The studies focus on the geometric nonlinearity of coupled overall motion and large deformation of a soft body, the physical nonlinearity of a soft body made of hyper-elastic or elastoplastic materials, the frictional impacts and contacts of soft bodies, and the efficient dynamic computation algorithm of soft multibody systems governed by a set of differential-algebraic equations of very high dimensions. The paper presents the validation of proposed approach through three case studies, including the locomotion of a soft quadrupedal robot, the spinning deployment of a solar sail of spacecraft, and the deployment of a mesh reflector of satellite antenna, as well as the corresponding experimental studies. Finally, the paper gives some remarks on future researches.