Guide
Mechanisms: Object Manipulation (Grades 4-8)
In mobile and competition robotics, an Object Manipulator is a mechanism that allows a robot to
interact with objects in its environment. There are three basic categories of Object Manipulators:
Plows, Scoops, and Friction Grabbers.
Plows
The rst Object Manipulator category applies a single force
to the side of an object. Plows move objects without actually
picking them up and are by far the easiest manipulator type to
design and build.
Scoops
The second Object Manipulator category applies force
underneath an object such that the object can be elevated and
carried. Once an object is on a Scoop, it can be lifted and lowered
relying on gravity to keep the object on or in the Scoop.
Friction Grabbers
The third Object Manipulator category applies a force to an
object in at least two places, allowing the object to be pinched or
grabbed. Thus, Friction Grabbers have the ability to hold objects
securely and are generally the manipulator type that provides
the most control over objects. The most common form of this
manipulator type is a pinching claw.
Regardless of which category an Object Manipulator ts
into, some are designed to handle single objects, while
others are designed to collect and hold multiple objects.
Any specialized Object Manipulator designed to collect
and hold multiple objects at one time is known as an
Accumulator. Accumulators, when desired, can allow for
greater eciency of an object manipulation system.
G.5