Is The Height of A Robot's Chassis Important?

When purchasing robot mobile chassis, an often overlooked design factor significantly impacts a robot's actual performance—chassis height. It not only determines whether the robot can smoothly navigate thresholds, steps, or rugged terrain but also directly affects operational stability, task safety, and adaptability to various scenarios. This article will delve into the intrinsic connections between chassis height and obstacle-crossing capability, center-of-gravity control, and application scenarios. It will help you understand why robot chassis vary in height and how to select or design the most suitable chassis solution based on your specific requirements.

1. Obstacle-Crossing Capability

A higher chassis allows the robot to more easily traverse obstacles such as steps, rocks, and thresholds. Increased ground clearance reduces the risk of the chassis becoming stuck or scraped.

2. Stability and Center of Gravity

The chassis height directly affects the robot's center of gravity. A lower chassis positions the center of gravity lower, enhancing overall stability. This configuration is ideal for high-speed movement or carrying heavy loads, particularly reducing the risk of tipping during rapid motion or turns. Conversely, an excessively high chassis may compromise stability and increase the risk of overturning.

3. Application Scenarios

Indoor service robots (e.g., floor-cleaning robots, food delivery robots) typically feature low chassis designs to navigate flat surfaces and maneuver under furniture.

Outdoor or wilderness robots (e.g., inspection robots, agricultural robots, exploration robots) require elevated chassis to handle uneven terrain, muddy conditions, and dense vegetation.

Industrial robots (e.g., warehouse AGVs, factory material handling robots) operate in typically flat industrial environments. A low chassis facilitates heavy-load carrying while maintaining a low center of gravity, reducing the risk of tipping.

4. Chassis Height and Mobility Mechanisms

The height of a robot mobile chassis is closely tied to the design of its mobility mechanisms, with different types of mechanisms requiring varying chassis heights:

Wheeled Robots: Chassis height is primarily determined by wheel diameter and suspension systems.

Track-Based Robots: Track width and tension affect ground clearance, enabling track-based robots to maintain higher ground clearance on rugged terrain.

5. Sensor and Actuator Layout

Chassis height must accommodate installation space and operational clearance for bottom-mounted sensors (e.g., cliff sensors, ground recognition cameras, LiDAR) and actuators (e.g., wheels, tracks, robotic arms).

Low chassis: May restrict sensor field of view, particularly for detecting objects near the ground.

High chassis: Provides a wider field of view but may increase sensor installation complexity or cost.

6. Environmental Adaptability

Chassis height must be optimized based on the robot's specific operating environment:

Flat surfaces (e.g., indoors, factories): Lower chassis height prioritizes stability and energy efficiency.

Uneven terrain (e.g., wilderness, construction sites): A Higher chassis height is required to traverse obstacles (e.g., rocks, steps).

Mixed environments: A compromise design or adjustable chassis is required. For example, urban patrol robots may encounter sidewalks, grass, and steps, typically operating at 15–25 cm with adaptive suspension.

7. Energy Consumption and Structural Strength

A high chassis may increase energy consumption (e.g., larger wheels or more complex suspension systems). A low chassis is typically more energy-efficient and suitable for robots requiring extended operation.

A high chassis requires a stronger support structure to prevent deformation or vibration, especially when carrying heavy loads or moving at high speeds. In practical design, our engineers typically determine the optimal chassis height through simulation analysis (such as terrain simulation and mechanical modeling) or field testing. If you have a specific application scenario, please provide more details so we can conduct further analysis and offer tailored recommendations