Studies and experiments related to modular structure robot Nicu BÎZDOACĂ 1 , Anca PETRISOR 2 , Sonia DEGERATU 2 , Elvira BÎZDOACĂ 1 , Cristian VLADU 2 1 Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics University of Craiova Craiova, Romania, 2 Faculty for Engineering in Electromechanics, Environment and Industrial Informatics University of Craiova Craiova, Romania, Abstract: - The modularity of robotic subsystems is a big opportunity for robotics to compel recognition on the market as a viable and efficient alternative, thanks to the development of standardized modulus, especially, but also because of the robots’ features-such as productivity and flexibility. The idea of this proposal roots in the structure of a personal computer. The winding and the upgrade of a pc is an extremely simple and quick process thanks to the standardization of the functional modulus. Extrapolating this idea to robots, and to robotic systems, in general, it is necessary the conceiving of a modular system, as far back as in the primary design phase. The modular system should be conceived as intelligent structures with a high degree of sensorial, communicational, functional and control autonomy. These elements are presented and experimented with functional models, for validation. The conclusions are formulated and future directions are targeted. Key-Words: - modular robots, standardization, plug and play structure, robotics 1 Introduction The reconfigurable robots structures (Figure 1) are characterized by changeability, maintenance and increased adaptability. From kinematical and especially mechanical point of view, the idea to realize reconfigurable robotic structures, in modular format, even if at a first sight is enough hopeful and it could be characterized as a total solution, at a more careful analysis it prove its limitations. The modular solutions ask for more Lego concept, through which the use of identically interconnected entities has as a result the achievement of some complex structures [1]. The technological implementation of this concept has as a result experimental robotic structures, developed especially in the big laboratories of the American and Japanese universities. The disadvantage of those systems is given by the redundancy due to the use of some more complex systems in respect with the fulfilled task has as a result not only an increased cost price toward the classical systems, but, contrary to the expectations, at a lower viability and at an extremely complex command and control structure. The first step in industrial implementation of the modularity concept, at functional level and at the maintenance level was realized by MOTOMAN. In Figure 2 can be identified the imposed design direction for the last robotic revolutionary arhitectures, realized during 2006-2007. Figure 1. Modular robotic structure experiments Figure 2. Motoman structure (http://www.motoman.co.uk/IA20.htm ) Proceedings of the 7th WSEAS International Conference on SYSTEM SCIENCE and SIMULATION in ENGINEERING (ICOSSSE '08) ISSN: 1790-2769 278 ISBN: 978-960-474-027-7