Optimal path planning of a cable-suspended robot with moving boundary using optimal feedback linearization approach

In this paper, the optimal path of a cable-suspended robot between two boundaries is assessed subject to its maximum load, while the initial and target points are moving boundary. Considering the fact that the most important application of cable robots is load carrying between two boundaries, planning the optimal path in which the heaviest load can be carried is extremely applicable. A closed loop optimal path planning algorithm is proposed in this paper for non-linear dynamic of a cable robots based on optimal feedback linearization. This method not only produces the optimal path of the end-effector, but also is robust to external disturbances and parametric uncertainties as a result of its closed loop nature. Moreover, considering the fact that in many automation applications the target of load handling is a sort of moving boundary like conveyors, finding the optimal point of this boundary which produces the optimal path with the maximum dynamic load carrying capacity (DLCC) amongst the other points of the boundary is obviously a useful study. Therefore, an online solution, based on variational algorithm is proposed here to solve the moving boundary problem which is compatible with the presented closed loop optimal path planning. This method is developed for both the initial and final moving boundaries. Finally maximum DLCC is obtained using an iterative method to check the optimality of the proposed method. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is verified at the end by the aid of some simulation scenarios performed on a spatial six DOFs cable robot with six cables. The motors’ torque, motors’ speed, and resultant DLCCs are calculated for both simple optimal path and moving boundary cases and comparison of the results proves the mentioned claims based on superiority of the proposed algorithm of moving boundary in saving the energy and increasing the DLCC. All simulation results are supported by conducting an experimental study on the cable robot of IUST (ICaSbot) for regulation movement of the end-effector with moving boundary.     

A random-profile approach for trajectory planning of wheeled mobile robots

We present a random-profile approach to treat the optimal free-trajectory planning problem for nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots subjected to move in a constrained workspace. This versatile method is based on a simultaneous search for the robot path and for the time evolution on this path. It handles obstacle avoidance issues while considering kinodynamic constraints (bounded velocities, accelerations and torques). It may be applied to treat problems with various forms of optimization criteria involving travel time, efforts and power. Numerical results, obtained via the simulated-annealing technique of optimization, are presented for two- and three-wheel mobile robots and are compared to those available in the literature.     

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.     

COORDINATED PATH PLANNING BY INTEGRATING IMPROVED RRT$^{\small*}$ AND QUARTIC SPLINE$^{\bf 1)}$

针对空间机器人抓捕空间非合作目标的在轨服务任务,同时考虑机器人运动学约束和动力学约束,提出一种分层式的自由漂浮双臂空间机器人协调路径规划方法. 首先,在路径规划层面上基于 RRT* 算法分别规划双臂末端执行器在笛卡尔空间下的初始可行路径,为双臂设置独立的采样空间,保证路径规划过程中双臂系统不发生自身碰撞. 然后,在轨迹规划层面上利用四次样条曲线平滑 RRT* 算法生成的初始路径,设计满足样条曲线的一阶、二阶及三阶微分连续约束,同时考虑机械臂末端执行器的初末速度约束条件、初始加速度约束条件,得到适合于空间机器人执行的动力学可行的平滑 轨迹.最后,计算所规划路径的最大速度、最大加速度与机械臂末端执行器物理极限值的比值,取最小上限,即为最少路径规划时间. 所提路径规划方法能够设计出满足特定路径点约束的协调路径,且所设计的路径考虑了机械臂的物理限制条件,通过对自由漂浮双臂空间机器人进行仿真试验,验证了所提路径规划算法的有效性.     

一种改进 RRT* 结合四次样条的协调路径规划方法

针对空间机器人抓捕空间非合作目标的在轨服务任务,同时考虑机器人运动学约束和动力学约束,提出一种分层式的自由漂浮双臂空间机器人协调路径规划方法. 首先,在路径规划层面上基于 RRT* 算法分别规划双臂末端执行器在笛卡尔空间下的初始可行路径,为双臂设置独立的采样空间,保证路径规划过程中双臂系统不发生自身碰撞. 然后,在轨迹规划层面上利用四次样条曲线平滑 RRT* 算法生成的初始路径,设计满足样条曲线的一阶、二阶及三阶微分连续约束,同时考虑机械臂末端执行器的初末速度约束条件、初始加速度约束条件,得到适合于空间机器人执行的动力学可行的平滑 轨迹.最后,计算所规划路径的最大速度、最大加速度与机械臂末端执行器物理极限值的比值,取最小上限,即为最少路径规划时间. 所提路径规划方法能够设计出满足特定路径点约束的协调路径,且所设计的路径考虑了机械臂的物理限制条件,通过对自由漂浮双臂空间机器人进行仿真试验,验证了所提路径规划算法的有效性.      

轮式移动机器人非完整运动规划的最优控制方法

本文讨论轮式动机器人非完整运动的最优规划问题,利用约束与最优控制理论建立数学模型,考虑系统的非完整约束特性,提出轮式移动机器人运动规划的最优控制算法。通过数值仿真,表明该方法的有效性。     

Synchronization control for networked mobile robot systems based on Udwadia–Kalaba approach

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization control for networked multi-mobile robot systems from the perspective of analytical mechanics. By reformulating the task requirement as a constrained motion problem, a unified synchronization algorithm for networked multi-mobile robot systems with or without leaders is proposed in combination with algebraic graph theory and the Udwadia–Kalaba approach. With the proposed algorithm, the networked mobile robot system can achieve synchronization from arbitrary initial conditions for the leaderless case and realize accurate trajectory tracking with explicitly given reference trajectories for the leader-following case. Numerical simulations of a networked wheeled mobile robot system are performed under different network structures and various trajectory requirements to show the performance of the proposed control algorithm.

     

Modeling and Simulation of a Three-Wheeled Mobile Robot on Uneven Terrains with Two-Degree-of-Freedom Suspension Mechanisms

A wheeled mobile robot (WMR) will move on an uneven terrain without slip if its torus-shaped wheels tilt in a lateral direction. An independent two degree-of-freedom (DOF) suspension is required to maintain contact with uneven terrain and for lateral tilting. This article deals with the modeling and simulation of a three-wheeled mobile robot with torus-shaped wheels and four novel two-DOF suspension mechanism concepts. Simulations are performed on an uneven terrain for three representative paths—a straight line, a circular, and an ‘S’-shaped path. Simulations show that a novel concept using double four-bar mechanism performs better than the other three concepts.     

Motion Planning for a Wheeled Robot (Kinematic Approximation)

The motion-planning problem for a wheeled robot is solved in kinematic approximation. The solution is given for robots with one and two steering wheels. The results of solving the problem for a specific system are compared with the results obtained by other authors__________Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 91–102, February 2005.     

Dynamics equations of a mobile robot provided with caster wheel

Kinematics and dynamics of a mobile robot, consisting of a platform, two conventional wheels and a crank that controls the motion of a free rolling caster wheel, are analyzed in the paper. Based on several matrix relations of connectivity, the characteristic velocities and accelerations of this non-holonomic mechanical system are derived. Using the principle of virtual work, expressions and graphs for the torques and the powers of the two driving wheels are established. It has been verified the results in the framework of the second-order Lagrange equations with their multipliers. The study of the dynamics problems of the wheeled mobile robots is done mainly to solve successfully the control of the motion of such systems.     

Multigrid solutions of the Euler and Navier–Stokes equations on unstructured grids

A computationally efficient multigrid algorithm for upwind edge‐based finite element schemes is developed for the solution of the two‐dimensional Euler and Navier–Stokes equations on unstructured triangular grids. The basic smoother is based upon a Galerkin approximation employing an edge‐based formulation with the explicit addition of an upwind‐type local extremum diminishing (LED) method. An explicit time stepping method is used to advance the solution towards the steady state. Fully unstructured grids are employed to increase the flexibility of the proposed algorithm. A full approximation storage (FAS) algorithm is used as the basic multigrid acceleration procedure. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear mechanics of flexible cables in space robotic arms subject to complex physical environment

A nonlinear model of a special cable in space robotic arms is developed in space environment. The mechanic effects of control cables in powerful robots can often be neglected. However, in complex space multi-physics environments, involving ultra-low temperature, radiation, and other extreme conditions of outer space, the externally mounted cables (protected by shielding layers) can induce strong nonlinear interference to robot arms; and this can induce further small-range slow rotations or oscillations of the flexible joint of robots at a specific posture, which consequently affect the precision and operation performance of end effectors. Effective mathematical models on nonlinear mechanics of strong cables under multi-physics environments and their effects on weak robots have not been well developed yet. Complex key factors, such as low gravity, nonlinear friction, and unexpected curved surface constraints, have not been extensively investigated either. In this study, considering all these key factors, a Kirchhoff nonlinear mechanical model of cables in complex space environments is developed, and a relatively improved algorithm based on a trust-region strategy is proposed for solving this nonlinear model, based on which the geometry and terminal force of the modeled robot cable can be obtained. The validity and accuracy of the proposed algorithm and theoretical calculation results are verified via experiments. The theoretical findings revealed in this study are significant to future research on the slow rotations and oscillations of weak robot joints in space exploration with robotic arms.

     

Disturbance compensation of a dual-arm underwater robot via redundant parallel mechanism theory

Disturbance compensation is one of the major issues for underwater robots to hover as a mobile platform and to manipulate an object in an underwater environment. This paper presents a new strategy of disturbance compensation for a mobile dual-arm underwater robot using internal torques derived from redundant parallel mechanism theory. A model of the robot was analyzed by redundant serial and parallel mechanisms at the same time. The joint torque to operate the robot is obtained from a redundant serial mechanism model with null-space projection due to redundancy. The joint torque derived from the redundant parallel kinematic model is calculated to perfectly compensate for disturbances to the mobile platform and is included in the solution of the joint torque based on the serial redundant model. The resultant joint torque can generate force on the end-effector for required tasks and forces for disturbance compensation simultaneously . A simulation shows the performance of this disturbance compensation strategy. The joint torque based on the algorithm generates the desired task force and the disturbance compensation force together, and a little additional joint torque can generate a large internal force effectively due to the characteristics of a redundant parallel mechanism. The proposed method is more effective than compensation methods using thrusting force on the mobile platform.     

Real-time robust adaptive control of robots subjected to actuator voltage constraint

This paper is concerned with the problem of design and implementation of a robust adaptive control strategy for electrically driven robots while considering to the constraints on the actuator voltage input. The proposed approach provides a flexible design framework and stable to deal with robustness compared with many other adaptive controllers, such as halting/slowing adaption techniques and adaptively adjusting command signal, which are proposed for robotic applications. The control design procedure is based on a new form of universal approximation theory and using Stone–Weierstrass theorem, to avoid saturation besides being robust against both structured and unstructured uncertainties associated with external disturbances and actuated manipulator dynamics. Moreover, the proposed approach eliminates problems arising from classic adaptive feedforward control scheme. The analytical studies as well as experimental results produced using MATLAB/SIMULINK external mode control on a two degree of freedom electrically driven robot demonstrate high performance of the proposed control schemes.     

自由漂浮空间机器人路径优化的Legendre伪谱法

基于Legendre 伪谱法研究自由漂浮空间机器人非完整路径规划的最优控制问题. 自由漂浮是空间机器人执行任务常用的工作模式,其路径优化是空间机器人完成复杂空间任务的基础. 由于空间机器人不具有固定基座,机械臂和载体之间存在非完整约束,使得自由漂浮空间机器人路径规划完全不同于地面机器人而变得具有挑战性. 本文提出自由漂浮空间机器人路径规划的最优控制伪谱方法. 首先,利用多体动力学理论建立自由漂浮空间机器人动力学模型,给定系统的初始和目标位形,选取机械臂关节耗散能最小为性能指标,并考虑实际控制输入受限,建立其路径规划的Bolza 问题. 然后,应用Legendre 伪谱法,将状态和控制变量在Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto (LGL) 点上离散,并构造Lagrange 插值多项式逼近系统状态和控制变量,将连续路径优化问题离散化为非线性规划问题求解. 最后通过数值仿真表明,应用Legendre 伪谱法求解自由漂浮空间机器人非完整路径规划问题,得到的机械臂和载体最优运动轨迹,较好地满足各种约束条件,且计算精度高、速度快,并具有良好的实时性.      

ZMP based neural network inspired humanoid robot control

This paper concerns ZMP-based control that is inspired by artificial neural networks for humanoid robot walking on varying sloped surfaces. Humanoid robots are currently one of the most exciting research topics in the field of robotics, and maintaining stability while they are standing, walking or moving is a key concern. To ensure a steady and smooth walking gait of such robots, a feedforward type of neural network architecture, trained by the back-propagation algorithm, is employed. The inputs and outputs of the neural network architecture are the ZMPx and ZMPy errors of the robot, and the x, y positions of the robot, respectively. The neural network developed allows the controller to generate the desired balance of the robot positions, resulting in a steady gait for the robot as it moves around on a flat floor, and when it is descending or ascending slopes. In this paper, experiments of humanoid robot walking are carried out, in which the actual position data from a prototype robot are measured in real-time situations, and fed into a neural network inspired controller designed for stable bipedal walking. In addition, natural walking motions on the different surfaces with varying slopes are obtained and the performance of the resulting controller is shown to be satisfactory.     

Terrain classification using intelligent tire

A wheeled ground robot was designed and built for better understanding of the challenges involved in utilization of accelerometer-based intelligent tires for mobility improvements. Since robot traction forces depend on the surface type and the friction associated with the tire-road interaction, the measured acceleration signals were used for terrain classification and surface characterization. To accomplish this, the robot was instrumented with appropriate sensors (a tri-axial accelerometer attached to the tire innerliner, a single axis accelerometer attached to the robot chassis and wheel speed sensors) and a data acquisition system. Wheel slip was measured accurately using encoders attached to driven and non-driven wheels. A fuzzy logic algorithm was developed and used for terrain classification. This algorithm uses the power of the acceleration signal and wheel slip ratio as inputs and classifies all different surfaces into four main categories; asphalt, concrete, grass, and sand. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using experimental data and good agreements were observed between the surface types and estimated ones.     

A note on the “nonlinear control of electrical flexible-joint robots”

Robust tracking control of electrically flexible-joint robots is addressed in this paper. Two important practical situations are considered. The fact that robot actuators have limited voltage and that current measurement is subjected to noise. Let us notice that a few solutions for the voltage-bounded robust tracking control have been proposed. In this paper, we contribute to this subject by presenting a new form of voltage-based control strategy. It proves that the closed loop system is BIBO stable, while actuator/link position errors are uniformly–ultimately bounded stable in agreement with Lyapunov’s direct method in any finite region of the state space. As a second contribution of this paper, we present a robust adaptive control scheme without the need for computation of regressor matrix and current measurement, with the same result on the closed loop system stability. This novelty gives a simple robust tracking control scheme for both structured and unstructured uncertainties based on the function approximation technique. The analytical studies as well as experimental results produced using MATLAB/Simulink external mode control on a flexible-joint electrically driven robot demonstrate high performance of the proposed control scheme.

     

一种压电驱动的三足爬行机器人

机器人领域涉及到力学、机械、材料、控制、电子和计算机等多个学科. 其中, 爬行机器人可在极端环境下工作, 进而可有效降低人工作业的危险性并提高工作效率. 因此, 爬行机器人一直是机器人领域的重点研究对象. 压电陶瓷是一种能够将机械能和电能互相转换的新型功能陶瓷材料. 逆压电效应是指当在电介质的极化方向施加电场, 这些电介质就在一定方向上产生机械变形或机械压力, 当外加电场撤去时, 这些变形或应力也随之消失. 本文基于压电陶瓷的逆压电效应设计了一种由3条弯曲变截面梁支撑的一体化三足爬行机器人. 利用理论力学方法对该三足爬行机器人建立整体受力分析方程, 再用哈密顿原理对变截面、变角度梁建立动力学方程, 最终得到了可求解该三足爬行机器人的压电驱动腿固有频率的方程. 设计并制作了三足爬行机器人实物, 通过实验测试了不同弯折角度、不同驱动频率、不同负载、不同电压波形对运动方向及运动速度的影响. 最后利用不对称的驱动电压使三足爬行机器人实现了左转、右转以及不加导轨的近似直线运动, 实现了设计的3个方向的运动, 最后分析了该机器人的能耗问题. 该研究可为微型爬行机器人设计和实验提供参考依据.      

Optimal motion planning of non-linear dynamic systems in the presence of obstacles and moving boundaries using SDRE: application on cable-suspended robot

In this paper a closed-loop non-linear optimal controller is designed via State Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) and employed for a spatial six-cable robot. SDRE provides a systematic and effective design of controller for non-linear systems. The power series approximation method is extended and used to solve SDRE. Trajectory tracking along with point to point movement is carried out. Moreover, two common constraints of optimal path planning, i.e., obstacles and moving boundaries are studied, and proper strategies are proposed to deal with these constraints. Obstacle avoidance technique used in this paper is based on the concept of Artificial Potential Field, while calculus of variations is applied to choose the optimal initial or end points from the moving boundaries. Capabilities of SDRE method provides an outstanding opportunity to be combined with the considered strategies. Simulations for the spatial six-cable robot are done, and Dynamic Load Carrying Capacity is computed to illustrate the efficiency of the employed procedure. Finally the results are validated by experimental tests conducted on ICaSbot which is a spatial six-cable robot manufactured in robotics research laboratory of Iran University of Science and Technology.