This paper presents a study to experimentally evaluate a new design paradigm for robotic components, with emphasis on space robotics applications. In this design paradigm, robotic components are made from embedded binary actuators and compliant mechanisms in order to reduce weight and complexity. This paper presents a series of five experiments that demonstrate the concept. These studies includ...

Wear and fatigue in rails are major contributors of rail degradation depending on operational conditions, track, characteristics of bogie type, Million Gross Tonnes (MGT), curvature, traffic type and environmental conditions. Estimation of parameter for failure models is necessary for accurate prediction of expected number of rail defects over a period of time based on MGT of traffic and operat...