Beam Shape Modeling and Shape Generation Method of
Morphable Beam Device
Saburo Matunaga, Thomas Iljic and Yohei Tanaka (Tokyo Tech)
Key Words: Compact, Deployable, Morphable Beam, Inspection
Abstract
To conduct remote inspection missions, an experimental device using a flexible beam (bendable and with shape retention
properties) without any articulated joints was developed and called Morphable Beam Device (MBD). A beam is bended as it is
deployed and the end-probe is able to reach distant targets of interest. A camera is selected for the end-probe to realize much
simpler system. In this paper, a beam shape modeling made by the MBD and a desired beam shape generation method are
described.