Control of Flexible Manipulator Robots Based on Dynamic Confined Space of Velocities: Dynamic Programming Approach

Linear Parameter Varying models-based Model Predictive Control (LPV-MPC) has stood out in manipulator robots because it presents well-rejection to dynamic uncertainties in flexible joints. However, it has become too weak when the MPC's optimization problem does not include kinematic constraints-based conditions. This paper uses dynamic confined space of velocities (DCSV) to include these conditions as a recursive polytopic constraint, guaranteeing optimal dependency on a simplex scheduling parameter. To this end, the local frame's velocities and torque/force preload of joints (related to violation of kinematic constraints) are associated with different time scale dynamics such that DCSV correlates them as a polytope. So, a classical LPV-MPC will be updated using a dynamic programming approach according to the DCSV-based polytope. As a result, one lemma about DCSV-based recursive polytope and a five-step procedure for two decoupled close-loop schemes with different time scales compose the LPV-MPC proposed method. Numerical validation shows that even for relevant flexibility situations, trajectory tracking performance is improved by tuning finite horizons and optimization problem constraints regarding DCSV's behavior

Advanced Strategies for Robot Manipulators

Amongst the robotic systems, robot manipulators have proven themselves to be of increasing importance and are widely adopted to substitute for human in repetitive and/or hazardous tasks. Modern manipulators are designed complicatedly and need to do more precise, crucial and critical tasks. So, the simple traditional control methods cannot be efficient, and advanced control strategies with considering special constraints are needed to establish. In spite of the fact that groundbreaking researches have been carried out in this realm until now, there are still many novel aspects which have to be explored

Optimized state feedback regulation of 3DOF helicopter system via extremum seeking

In this paper, an optimized state feedback regulation of a 3 degree of freedom (DOF) helicopter is designed via extremum seeking (ES) technique. Multi-parameter ES is applied to optimize the tracking performance via tuning State Vector Feedback with Integration of the Control Error (SVFBICE). Discrete multivariable version of ES is developed to minimize a cost function that measures the performance of the controller. The cost function is a function of the error between the actual and desired axis positions. The controller parameters are updated online as the optimization takes place. This method significantly decreases the time in obtaining optimal controller parameters. Simulations were conducted for the online optimization under both fixed and varying operating conditions. The results demonstrate the usefulness of using ES for preserving the maximum attainable performance

Adaptive Control for Robotic Manipulators base on RBF Neural Network

An adaptive neural network controller is brought forward by the paper to solve trajectory tracking problems of robotic manipulators with uncertainties.  The  first  scheme consists of  a PD feedback  and  a  dynamic  compensator  which is  composed by  neural  network controller and  variable  structure controller.  Neutral network controller is designed to adaptive learn and compensate the unknown uncertainties, variable   structure controller is designed to eliminate approach errors of neutral network. The adaptive weight learning algorithm of neural network is designed to ensure online real-time adjustment, offline learning phase is not need; Global asymptotic stability (GAS) of system base on Lyapunov theory is analysised to ensure the convergence of the algorithm. The simulation results show that the kind of the control scheme is effective and has good robustness

Underwater Robots Part II: Existing Solutions and Open Issues

National audienceThis paper constitutes the second part of a general overview of underwater robotics. The first part is titled: Underwater Robots Part I: current systems and problem pose. The works referenced as (Name*, year) have been already cited on the first part of the paper, and the details of these references can be found in the section 7 of the paper titled Underwater Robots Part I: current systems and problem pose. The mathematical notation used in this paper is defined in section 4 of the paper Underwater Robots Part I: current systems and problem pose

Robotic device for the inspection of steel bridge structures

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84).The aging of America's steel bridges presents many challenges. Undetected cracks and corrosion can eventually lead to catastrophic failure. Due to the difficulties with inspecting existing bridges the use of mobile robots for steel bridge inspection has become an important area of research. This thesis describes the analysis, design, and implementation of a new approach to steel bridge inspection robots using tilting feet equipped with permanent magnets. This robot, titled "Mag-Feet", is capable of adhering to steel surfaces and can move along steel surfaces using a combination of three distinct gait modes. These three gait modes allow the robot to "Moonwalk" along horizontal surfaces, "Shuffle" up inclined surfaces, and "Swing" over small obstacles. The "Swing" motions present their own set of interesting challenges. Since the robot can only adhere to the surface using finite (and relatively small) magnetic forces, it may fall due to the reaction forces caused by the swing- up motion. To prevent failure modes, an optimal swing-up trajectory was designed so that the maximum reaction force during the trajectory was minimized. The trajectories were parameterized using sigmoids and were determined by solving the dynamic equations as a 2 point boundary value problem. Finally, a proof of concept prototype was constructed and was used to experimentally evaluate the design. These experiments illustrate the promise of the design and control approaches that were formulated.by Anirban Mazumdar.S.M

Design and Development of an Automated Mobile Manipulator for Industrial Applications

This thesis presents the modeling, control and coordination of an automated mobile manipulator. A mobile manipulator in this investigation consists of a robotic manipulator and a mobile platform resulting in a hybrid mechanism that includes a mobile platform for locomotion and a manipulator arm for manipulation. The structural complexity of a mobile manipulator is the main challenging issue because it includes several problems like adapting a manipulator and a redundancy mobile platform at non-holonomic constraints. The objective of the thesis is to fabricate an automated mobile manipulator and develop control algorithms that effectively coordinate the arm manipulation and mobility of mobile platform. The research work starts with deriving the motion equations of mobile manipulators. The derivation introduced here makes use of motion equations of robot manipulators and mobile platforms separately, and then integrated them as one entity. The kinematic analysis is performed in two ways namely forward & inverse kinematics. The motion analysis is performed for various WMPs such as, Omnidirectional WMP, Differential three WMP, Three wheeled omni-steer WMP, Tricycle WMP and Two steer WMP. From the obtained motion analysis results, Differential three WMP is chosen as the mobile platform for the developed mobile manipulator. Later motion analysis is carried out for 4-axis articulated arm. Danvit-Hartenberg representation is implemented to perform forward kinematic analysis. Because of this representation, one can easily understand the kinematic equation for a robotic arm. From the obtained arm equation, Inverse kinematic model for the 4-axis robotic manipulator is developed. Motion planning of an intelligent mobile robot is one of the most vital issues in the field of robotics, which includes the generation of optimal collision free trajectories within its work space and finally reaches its target position. For solving this problem, two evolutionary algorithms namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Artificial Immune System (AIS) are introduced to move the mobile platform in intelligent manner. The developed algorithms are effective in avoiding obstacles, trap situations and generating optimal paths within its unknown environments. Once the robot reaches its goal (within the work space of the manipulator), the manipulator will generate its trajectories according to task assigned by the user. Simulation analyses are performed using MATLAB-2010 in order to validate the feasibility of the developed methodologies in various unknown environments. Additionally, experiments are carried out on an automated mobile manipulator. ATmega16 Microcontrollers are used to enable the entire robot system movement in desired trajectories by means of robot interface application program. The control program is developed in robot software (Keil) to control the mobile manipulator servomotors via a serial connection through a personal computer. To support the proposed control algorithms both simulation and experimental results are presented. Moreover, validation of the developed methodologies has been made with the ER-400 mobile platform