Fractional Order Control of a Hexapod Robot

This paper studies the performance of integer and fractional order controllers in a hexapod robot with joints at the legs having viscous friction and flexibility. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. The walking performance is analysed through the Nyquist stability criterion and several indices that reflect the system dynamical properties. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the different controller implementations upon the proposed metrics.     

Experimental study of a tracked mobile robot’s mobility performance

This paper proposes an experimental method of predicting the traction performance of a small tracked mobile robot. Firstly, a track-terrain interaction model based on terramechanics is built. Then, an experimental platform of the tracked robot is established, on which the measurement methods of the parameters that influencing the accuracy of the prediction model are introduced and the data post-processing are improved, including drawbar pull, slip ratio, sinkage, track deformation and so on. Based on the experimental data, several key terrain parameters are identified. With the tracked robot platform, the drawbar pull-slip ratio relationship is tested, and the effects on drawbar pull considering different kinds of terrain and the influence of the grousers are analyzed as well. The research results provide a reference for the experimental study on the traction performance of small tracked robots.     

基于虚拟力概念的柔性臂空间机器人模糊退步自适应控制算法设计

讨论了漂浮基柔性臂空间机器人系统的动力学模拟、运动轨迹跟踪控制算法设计及柔性振动主动抑制。采用多体动力学建模方法并结合假设模态法,建立了漂浮基柔性臂空间机器人的系统动力学模型。基于该模型,针对系统惯性参数未知情况,提出了刚性运动基于模糊基函数网络自适应调节的退步控制算法,以完成柔性臂空间机器人载体姿态及机械臂各关节铰的协调运动。然后,为了主动抑制系统柔性振动,运用虚拟力的概念,构造了同时反映柔性模态和刚性运动轨迹的混合期望轨迹,通过改造原有的控制算法,提出了基于虚拟力概念的模糊退步自适应控制算法;这样不但保证了之前刚性运动控制方案对模型不确定的鲁棒性,而且能主动抑制柔性振动,从而提高了轨迹跟踪性能。理论分析及数值仿真算例均表明了控制方法的可行性。     

动态规划求解空间双臂机器人非完整运动最优控制问题

通过自适应动态规划研究自由漂浮空间双臂机器人运动的最优控制问题．针对空间双臂机器人的非完整性运动,采用自适应动态规划(Adaptive Dynamic Programming, ADP)方法求解其最优控制问题．根据多体动力学理论,推导了载体位置、姿态均无控制条件下,双臂空间机器人满足的系统动量守恒关系的非完整约束方程,并将其转化为控制系统的状态方程,从而将双臂空间机器人的非完整运动规划问题转化为对非线性系统的控制问题．文中根据自适应动态规划网络结构,利用神经网络来近似性能指标函数,进而用龙格库塔法求解状态变量．并给出了适合该类问题的一种效用函数具体表达式,保证了空间双臂机器人到达期望位置后不再继续运动．实现了对空间双臂机器人非完整运动规划的最优控制．数值仿真实验验证了ADP对求解空间双臂机器人非完整运动规划最优控制问题的有效性．     

An adaptive critic neural network for motion control of a wheeled mobile robot

In this paper, we propose a new application of the adaptive critic methodology for the feedback control of wheeled mobile robots, based on a critic signal provided by a neural network (NN). The adaptive critic architecture uses a high-level supervisory NN adaptive critic element (ACE), to generate the reinforcement signal to optimise the associative search element (ASE), which is applied to approximate the non-linear functions of the mobile robot. The proposed tracking controller is derived from Lyapunov stability theory and can guarantee tracking performance and stability. A series of computer simulations have been used to emulate the performance of the proposed solution for a wheeled mobile robot.     

柔性关节-柔性臂空间机器人的神经网络自适应反演控制及双重柔性振动抑制

空间机器人系统的柔性主要体现在空间机器人的臂杆和连接各臂杆之间的铰关节。由于空间机器人系统结构的复杂性,以往研究人员对同时具有柔性关节和柔性臂的系统关注不够。为此探讨了参数未知柔性关节-柔性臂空间机器人系统的动力学模拟、轨迹跟踪控制算法设计和关节、臂杆双重柔性振动的主动抑制问题。首先,采用多体动力学建模方法并结合漂浮基空间机器人固有的线动量和角动量守恒动力学特性,推导了系统的动力学方程。以此为基础,考虑到空间机器人实际应用中各关节铰具有较强柔性的情况,引入一种关节柔性补偿控制器解决了传统奇异摄动法应用受关节柔性限制问题,导出了适用于控制系统算法设计的数学模型。然后,利用该模型,基于反演思想在慢时标子系统中设计神经网络自适应控制算法来补偿系统参数未知和柔性关节引起的转动误差,实现系统运动轨迹跟踪性能;针对快时标子系统,设计了鲁棒最优控制算法抑制因柔性关节及柔性臂引起的系统双重弹性振动,保证系统的稳定性。最后,通过仿真对比实验验证了所设计控制算法的有效性。     

空间机器人执行器自适应分散容错控制算法设计

针对执行器发生部分失效故障的漂浮基空间机器人系统，提出了一种自适应H_∞分散容错控制算法。利用拉格朗日第二类方程建立了系统的动力学模型。根据分散原理将系统分解为以基座或臂杆为单元的多个子系统，并将表示执行器控制能力的有效因子融入到每个子系统，使得单个子系统的执行器故障不会影响相邻执行器的正常运行。通过对每个故障子系统设计形式一致的自适应容错算法实现对整个系统的容错控制。仿真结果表明，与现有某非奇异终端滑模容错算法相比，本文算法具有更快的跟踪速度和更高的跟踪精度。     

State-Space Generalized Predictive Control for Redundant Parallel Robots

Abstract

The article deals with the design and properties of generalized predictive control (GPC) for path control of redundant parallel robots. Redundant parallel classification means redundant number of actuators, i.e., more actuators than degrees of freedom of the robot. Control of such structures suffers from several new control problems like potential inconsistency of steady state positions or nonuniqueness of control actions. The article explains classical direct derivation of GPC and its modification based on square root two-step design of control actions for solving the control problems. As an example for verification of algorithms, a prototype of a planar redundant parallel robot is used. Both design approaches are compared and several possibilities of extensions are presented for taking into consideration additional requirements, like smooth course of actuators or fulfillment of the anti-backlash condition.     

Discrete element method-based studies on dynamic interactions of a lugged wheel with granular media

Terramechanics plays an important role in determining the design and control of autonomous robots and other vehicles that move on granular surfaces. Traction capabilities, slippage, and sinkage of a robot are governed by the interaction of a robot’s appendage with the operating terrain. It is important to understand how the terrain flows under this appendage during such an interaction. In this work, dynamics of soil performance and locomotion performance of a lugged wheel travelling on soft soil are numerically investigated. Studies are conducted with a two-dimensional model by using the discrete element method to analyze the interactions between a lugged wheel and the soil. The soil performance is studied by examining the force distribution and evolution of force networks during the course of the wheel travel. For two different control modes, namely, slip-based wheel control and angular velocity-based wheel control, the performance parameters such as, sinkage, traction, traction efficiency, and power consumption of the wheel are compared for various wheel configurations. The findings of this work are expected to be useful for optimal design and control of the lugged wheel travelling on deformable surfaces.     

多体系统轨迹跟踪的瞬时最优控制保辛方法

随着近年来机器人在各行业领域的广泛应用,对机器人的动力学与控制性能不断提出新的要求,特别是对设计越来越复杂、操作越来越灵巧的智能机器人,要求其能够对目标轨迹实现高精度跟踪以满足实际工作需求. 因此,针对机器人多体系统对目标轨迹跟踪的任务需求,基于微分代数方程提出瞬时最优控制保辛方法. 首先,采用多体动力学绝对坐标建模方法建立机器人系统的普适动力学方程,即微分代数方程;然后,采用保辛方法将连续时间域内的微分代数方程进行离散化,进而得到以当前位置、速度和拉式乘子为未知量的非线性代数方程组;其次,通过引入对目标轨迹跟踪以及对控制加权的瞬时最优性能指标,根据瞬时最优控制理论获得当前最优控制输入;最后,通过离散时间步的更新完成对目标轨迹的跟踪任务. 为了验证本文方法的有效性,以双摆轨迹跟踪控制为例进行了数值仿真,结果表明:针对机器人轨迹跟踪任务所提出的瞬时最优控制保辛方法能够实现对目标轨迹的高精度跟踪,且瞬时最优控制由受控微分代数方程推导获得,更具一般性,能够适应其他复杂多体系统的轨迹跟踪控制问题.      

Controlling robot manipulators by dynamic programming

A certain number of considerations should be taken into account in the dynamic control of robot manipulators as highly complex non-linear systems. In this article, we provide a detailed presentation of the mechanical and electrical implications of robots equipped with DC motor actuators. This model takes into account all non-linear aspects of the system. Then, we develop computational algorithms for optimal control based on dynamic programming. The robot's trajectory must be predefined, but performance criteria and constraints applying to the system are not limited and we may adapt them freely to the robot and the task being studied. As an example, a manipulator arm with 3 degress of freedom is analyzed.     

Nonlinear analysis on moving process of soft robots

The soft robot consists of several deformable spherical cells. It is a nonlinear system. According to the deflating and inflating action of the spherical cells, the size of each spherical cell can be changed. Thus, the soft robot can move forward. In the paper, the moving process is analyzed in one circular movement with the deflating and inflating modes of each cell. The theoretical analysis of the distance expected is counted. Then the forces on the inflating process are presented in detail, which push the cells to move forward. Lastly, an experiment is shown to emulate the moving process of the soft robot. The theoretical result and the experimental result are compared. It shows that the soft robot that consists of several deformable spherical cells can move forward with the nonlinear inflating and deflating process.     

On the Static Equilibrium of a Multi-Legged Robot on a Rough Surface in Zero-Gravity Conditions

The problem of the equilibrium of a multi-legged robot in zero-gravity is investigated. The robot has several points of support and is located on a flat rough surface. The influence of an arbitrarily directed force applied to the center of mass of a robot on its equilibrium is considered.     

The Effect of the Elastic Compliance of Actuator Components on the Dynamics of a Robot

Kinematic and dynamic control problems for a pedestal-mounted robot with a multilink arm are formulated. The robot is considered a system of perfectly rigid bodies controlled by a combined actuating system. The mathematical model of robot dynamics accounts for the elastic properties of actuator components based on the formalism of Lagrange equations of the second kind. The effect of the elastic compliance of the actuator components on the dynamics of manipulator links and actuator motors is discussed. A robot with a two-link arm is considered as an example     

A particle swarm optimization approach for fuzzy sliding mode control for tracking the robot manipulator

In this paper, an optimal fuzzy sliding mode controller is used for tracking the position of robot manipulator, is presented. In the proposed control, initially by using inverse dynamic method, the known sections of a robot manipulator’s dynamic are eliminated. This elimination is done due to reduction over structured and unstructured uncertainties boundaries. In order to overcome against existing uncertainties for the tracking position of a robot manipulator, a classic sliding mode control is designed. The mathematical proof shows the closed-loop system in the presence of this controller has the global asymptotic stability. Then, by applying the rules that are obtained from the design of classic sliding mode control and TS fuzzy model, a fuzzy sliding mode control is designed that is free of undesirable phenomena of chattering. Eventually, by applying the PSO optimization algorithm, the existing membership functions are adjusted in the way that the error tracking robot manipulator position is converged toward zero. In order to illustrate the performance of the proposed controller, a two degree-of-freedom robot manipulator is used as the case study. The simulation results confirm desirable performance of optimal fuzzy sliding mode control.     

A proposed hybrid neural network for position control of a walking robot

The use of a proposed recurrent neural network control system to control a four-legged walking robot is presented in this paper. The control system consists of a neural controller, a standard PD controller, and the walking robot. The robot is a planar four-legged walking robot. The proposed Neural Network (NN) is employed as an inverse controller of the robot. The NN has three layers, which are input, hybrid hidden and output layers. In addition to feedforward connections from the input layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden layer to the output layer, there is also a feedback connection from the output layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden layer to itself. The reason to use a hybrid layer is that the robot’s dynamics consists of linear and nonlinear parts. The results show that the neural-network controller can efficiently control the prescribed positions of the stance and swing legs during the double stance phase of the gait cycle after sufficient training periods. The goal of the use of this proposed neural network is to increase the robustness of the control of the dynamic walking gait of this robot in the case of external disturbances. Also, the PD controller alone and Computed Torque Method (CTM) control system are used to control the walking robot’s position for comparison.     

DYNAMICS MODELING,SIMULATION, AND CONTROL OF ROBOTS WITH FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND FLEXIBLE LINKS$^{\bf 1)}$

本文探究了铰柔性对机器人动力学响应和动力学控制的影响. 首先, 建立由$n$个柔性铰和$n$个柔性杆组成的空间机器人模型, 运用递推拉格朗日动力学方法, 得到柔性机器人系统的刚柔耦合动力学方程. 在动力学建模过程中, 除了考虑杆件的拉伸变形、弯曲变形、扭转变形以及非线性耦合变形对机器人系统动力学行为的影响, 还考虑了铰的柔性对机器人动力学响应和控制的影响. 其中, 柔性铰模型是基于Spong的柔性关节简化模型, 将柔性铰看成线性扭转弹簧, 不仅考虑了铰阻尼的存在, 还考虑了柔性铰的质量效应. 其次, 编写了空间柔性铰柔性杆机器人仿真程序, 研究铰的刚度系数和阻尼系数对系统动力学响应的影响. 研究表明: 随着柔性铰刚度系数的增大, 柔性机器人的动态响应幅值减小, 振动频率变大. 随着柔性铰阻尼系数的增大, 柔性机器人的动态响应幅值减小, 振动幅值的衰减速度变快. 可通过调节柔性铰的刚度和阻尼来减小柔性铰柔性杆机器人的振动, 因此铰阻尼的研究具有重要工程意义. 最后, 研究了铰柔性在机器人系统动力学控制中的影响. 在刚性铰机械臂和柔性铰机械臂完成相同圆周运动时, 通过逆动力学方法求解得到两种情况下的关节驱动力矩. 研究表明: 引入柔性铰会使控制所需的驱动力矩变小, 对机器人控制的影响显著.     

HUMAN-LIKE CONTROL FOR SEMI-PASSIVE BIPEDAL ROBOT WALKING WITH VARIABLE LEG STIFFNESS1)

研究了变刚度半被动双足机器人行走控制问题。采用仿人的行走控制策略,使用变刚度双足弹簧负载倒立摆模型,利用模型自稳定性,在双支撑阶段调整后腿刚度使机器人的能量保持在期望能量附近,在单支撑阶段调整摆动腿落地位置控制质点的高度和前向速度。仿真结果表明：本文采用的控制策略可以实现双足机器人在水平面上的稳定行走,无扰动时可以使机器人实现零输入的被动周期行走,有外部扰动时腿部变刚度控制可使机器人总能量恢复平衡并重新进入稳态行走,控制系统具有鲁棒性。     

一类关节型机器人操作手的迭代学习控制

针对一类机器人操作手，提出了一种设计机器人操作手迭代学习控制的新方法，与其它现有的迭代学习控制方法相比较，当折合到机器人操作手关节轴上的驱动装置惯量足够大时，可以用驱动装置的动力学特性参数确定学习增益，克服了传统迭代学习控制方法由多次尝试选取学习增益的缺点，增强了实用性。在实际机器人操作手上的实验结果充分表明了新提出方法可获得较高学习速度和控制精度的优越性。     

变长度弹性伸缩腿双足机器人动力学与控制

研究了半被动双足机器人的平面稳定行走的控制问题．基于弹簧质点模型，采用拉格朗日方法分别得到双足机器人单支撑阶段与双支撑阶段的动力学方程，对机器人系统的动力学方程求得周期解．应用非线性系统状态反馈线性化理论，在双足机器人的单支撑阶段和双支撑阶段中，通过控制双足机器人的腿长度，实现稳定的周期行走．在理论分析的基础上，对控制算法进行了仿真与研究．结果表明：在周期行走过程中，文中采用的变长度控制算法可以使双足机器人克服外界的干扰，并具有较强的抗干扰性．