This paper describes the development of 6-axis force/moment sensor considered adult weight for an intelligent foot of humanoid robot. In order to walk on uneven terrain safely, the foot should perceive the applied forces Fx, Fy, Fz and moments Mx, My, Mz to itself, and control the foot using the forces and moments. The applied forces and moments should be measured from a 6-axis force/moment sensor attached to the foot, which is composed of Fx sensor, Fy sensor, Fz sensor, Mx sensor, My sensor and Mz sensor in a body. Each sensor should get the deferent rated load, because the applied forces and moments to foot in walking are deferent. Therefore, one of the important things in the sensor is to design each sensor with the deferent rated load and the same rated output.
In this paper, a 6-axis force/moment sensor (rated load of Fx and Fy are 500Nm and Fz sensor is 100N, and those of Mx and My are 18Nm, Mz sensor is 8Nm) for perceiving forces and moments in a humanoid robot's foot was developed using many PPBs (parallel plate-beams). The structure of the sensor was newly modeled, and the sensing elements (plate-beams) of the sensor were designed using by ANSYS software (FEM (Finite Element Method) program). Then, a 6-axis force/moment sensor was fabricated by attaching strain-gages on the sensing elements, and the characteristic test of the developed sensor was carried out. The rated outputs from FEM analysis agree well with that from the characteristic test.
