Studio sperimentale mediante interfacce visuo-aptiche su modelli computazionali di stima ottima nella integrazione di stimoli visivi e tattili nell'uomo

In questa tesi si affrontera il problema dell'integrazione sensoriale multimodale con la memoria. Nella letteratura specialistica sono stati proposti vari approcci al problema, uno in particolare basato sul modello della stima MLE. Queste conclusioni sono state tratte nel caso di assenza di coinvolgimento della memoria. Nella tesi analizzeremo il problema, includendo la memoria. In un ottica continuativa con il lavoro sopra citato, si analizzerµa il fenomeno come un problema di stima ottima in senso MAP (filtro di Kalman). Verra presentato il progetto di un protocollo sperimentale atto alla verifica della nostra ipotesi a livello statistico. Saranno quindi mostrati il progetto e l'allestimento di infrastrutture hardware e software idonee alla messa in atto dell'esperimento. Verranno infine presentati ed analizzati i risultati di una campagna sperimentale effettuata

Identification for Control of Variable Impedance Actuators

Development of Variable Impedance Actuators (VIA) is a recent evolution in robotics to face hallenges as adaptability to the environment, energy saving, safety and robustness. VIA allow to change the impedance of the limbs of a robot using physical elastic and dissipative elements rather than through traditional Impedance Control. This leads to the problem of controlling a VIA, one important aspect of this problem lies in the absence of sensors able to measure on-line the mechanical impedance of a system. This thesis deals with the problem of impedance parameters observation in a VIA robot. This in order to develop an instrument to be used in implementing real closed-loop control of impedance of a VIA. After an introduction to VIA and traditional impedance measurement techniques, we follow an innovative approach to derive an observer able to estimate in real-time the impedance of a VIA. In particular three observers are presented: a nonparametric stiffness observer, a parametric stiffness observer, and an impedance observer able to estimate either non-linear time-varying stiffness, as long as linear damping and inertia coefficients. Derivation of the algorithms is shown and both simulation and experimental results are presented to support the thesis

On The Evaluation of Collision Probability along a Path

Characterizing the risk of operations is a fundamental requirement in robotics, and a crucial ingredient of safe planning. The problem is multifaceted, with multiple definitions arising in the vast recent literature fitting different application scenarios and leading to different computational approaches. A basic element shared by most frameworks is the definition and evaluation of the probability of collision for a mobile object in an environment with obstacles. We observe that, even in basic cases, different interpretations are possible. This paper proposes an index we call Risk Density, which offers a theoretical link between conceptually distant assumptions about the interplay of single collision events along a continuous path. We show how this index can be used to approximate the collision probability in the case where the robot evolves along a nominal continuous curve from random initial conditions. Indeed under this hypothesis the proposed approximation outperforms some well-established methods either in accuracy or computational cost

Rendering Softness: Integration of Kinesthetic and Cutaneous Information in a Haptic Device

While it is known that softness discrimination relies on both kinesthetic and cutaneous information, relatively little work has been done on the realization of haptic devices replicating the two cues in an integrated and effective way. In this paper, we first discuss the ambiguities that arise in unimodal touch, and provide a simple intuitive explanation in terms of basic contact mechanics. With this as a motivation, we discuss the implementation and control of an integrated device, where a conventional kinesthetic haptic display is combined with a cutaneous softness display. We investigate the effectiveness of the integrated display via a number of psychophysical tests and compare the subjective perception of softness with that obtained by direct touch on physical objects. Results show that the subjects interacting with the integrated haptic display are able to discriminate softness better than with either a purely kinesthetic or a purely cutaneous display

Modeling and Control of a novel Variable Stiffness three DoF Wrist

This paper presents a novel design for a Variable Stiffness 3 DoF actuated wrist to improve task adaptability and safety during interactions with people and objects. The proposed design employs a hybrid serial-parallel configuration to achieve a 3 DoF wrist joint which can actively and continuously vary its overall stiffness thanks to the redundant elastic actuation system, using only four motors. Its stiffness control principle is similar to human muscular impedance regulation, with the shape of the stiffness ellipsoid mostly depending on posture, while the elastic cocontraction modulates its overall size. The employed mechanical configuration achieves a compact and lightweight device that, thanks to its anthropomorphous characteristics, could be suitable for prostheses and humanoid robots. After introducing the design concept of the device, this work provides methods to estimate the posture of the wrist by using joint angle measurements and to modulate its stiffness. Thereafter, this paper describes the first physical implementation of the presented design, detailing the mechanical prototype and electronic hardware, the control architecture, and the associated firmware. The reported experimental results show the potential of the proposed device while highlighting some limitations. To conclude, we show the motion and stiffness behavior of the device with some qualitative experiments.Comment: 13 pages + appendix (2 pages), 19 figures, submitted to IJR

Investigating the Performance of Soft Robotic Adaptive Feet with Longitudinal and Transverse Arches

Biped robots usually adopt feet with a rigid structure that simplifies walking on flat grounds and yet hinders ground adaptation in unstructured environments, thus jeopardizing stability. We recently explored in the SoftFoot the idea of adapting a robotic foot to ground irregularities along the sagittal plane. Building on the previous results, we propose in this paper a novel robotic foot able to adapt both in the sagittal and frontal planes, similarly to the human foot. It features five parallel modules with intrinsic longitudinal adaptability that can be combined in many possible designs through optional rigid or elastic connections. By following a methodological design approach, we narrow down the design space to five candidate foot designs and implement them on a modular system. Prototypes are tested experimentally via controlled application of force, through a robotic arm, onto a sensorized plate endowed with different obstacles. Their performance is compared, using also a rigid foot and the previous SoftFoot as a baseline. Analysis of footprint stability shows that the introduction of the transverse arch, by elastically connecting the five parallel modules, is advantageous for obstacle negotiation, especially when obstacles are located under the forefoot. In addition to biped robots' locomotion, this finding might also benefit lower-limb prostheses design.Comment: Submitted to Frontiers in Robotics and A

Wearable Integrated Soft Haptics in a Prosthetic Socket

Modern active prostheses can be used to recover part of the motor function associated with the loss of a hand. Nevertheless, most sensory abilities are lost, and the person has to manage interaction by relying mostly on visual feedback. Despite intensive research devoted to convey touch related cues, very few solutions have been integrated in a real prosthesis worn by a user. This letter describes a soft pneumatic feedback system designed with integrability and wearability among its main concerns. At the system core, two soft pneumatic actuators are placed in contact with the subject's skin and inflated to provide pressure stimuli, which can be used to represent force exerted by the hand grasping. We report on the design and the characterization of the system, including behavioural experiments with able-bodied participants and one prosthesis user. Results from psychophysical, dexterity and usability tests show that the system has the potential to restore sensory feedback in hand amputees, and can be a useful tool for enabling a correct modulation of the force during grasping and manipulation tasks

A Novel Skin-Stretch Haptic Device for Intuitive Control of Robotic Prostheses and Avatars

Without proprioception, i.e., the intrinsic capability of a body to perceive its own limb position, completing daily life activities would require constant visual attention and it would be challenging or even impossible. This situation is similar to the one experienced after limb amputation and in robotic tele-operation, where the natural sensory-motor loop is broken. While some promising solutions based on skin stretch sensory substitution have been proposed to restore tactile properties in these conditions, there is still room for enhancing the intuitiveness of stimulus delivery and integration of haptic feedback devices within user's body. To contribute to this goal, here, we propose a wearable device based on skin stretch stimulation, the Stretch-Pro, which can provide proprioceptive information on artificial hand aperture. This system can be suitably integrated in a prosthetic socket or can be easily worn by a user controlling remote robots. The system can imitate the stretching of the skin that would naturally occur on the intact limb, when it is used to accomplish motor tasks. Two versions of the system are presented, with one and two actuators, respectively, which deliver the stretch stimulus in different ways. Experiments with able-bodied participants and a preliminary test with one prosthesis user are reported. Results suggest that Stretch-Pro could be a viable solution to convey proprioceptive cues to upper limb prosthesis users, opening promising perspectives for tele-robotics applications

Dexterity augmentation on a synergistic hand: the Pisa/IIT SoftHand+

Soft robotics and under-actuation were recently demonstrated as good approaches for the implementation of humanoid robotic hands. Nevertheless, it is often difficult to increase the number of degrees of actuation of heavily under-actuated hands without compromising their intrinsic simplicity. In this paper we analyze the Pisa/IIT SoftHand and its underlying logic of adaptive synergies, and propose a method to double its number of degree of actuation, with a very reduced impact on its mechanical complexity. This new design paradigm is based on constructive exploitation of friction phenomena. Based on this method, a novel prototype of under-actuated robot hand with two degrees of actuation is proposed, named Pisa/IIT SoftHand+. A preliminary validation of the prototype follows, based on grasping and manipulation examples of some object

A synergy-driven approach to a myoelectric hand

In this paper, we present the Pisa/IIT SoftHand with myoelectric control as a synergy-driven approach for a prosthetic hand. Commercially available myoelectric hands are more expensive, heavier, and less robust than their bodypowered counterparts; however, they can offer greater freedom of motion and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The Pisa/IIT SoftHand is built on the motor control principle of synergies through which the immense complexity of the hand is simplified into distinct motor patterns. As the SoftHand grasps, it follows a synergistic path with built-in flexibility to allow grasping of a wide variety of objects with a single motor. Here we test, as a proof-of-concept, 4 myoelectric controllers: a standard controller in which the EMG signal is used only as a position reference, an impedance controller that determines both position and stiffness references from the EMG input, a standard controller with vibrotactile force feedback, and finally a combined vibrotactile-impedance (VI) controller. Four healthy subjects tested the control algorithms by grasping various objects. All controllers were sufficient for basic grasping, however the impedance and vibrotactile controllers reduced the physical and cognitive load on the user, while the combined VI mode was the easiest to use of the four. While these results need to be validated with amputees, they suggest a low-cost, robust hand employing hardware-based synergies is a viable alternative to traditional myoelectric prostheses