Compared with wheeled mobile robots, legged robots can easily step over obstacles and walk through rugged ground. They have more flexible bodies and therefore, can deal with complex environment. Nevertheless, some oth...Compared with wheeled mobile robots, legged robots can easily step over obstacles and walk through rugged ground. They have more flexible bodies and therefore, can deal with complex environment. Nevertheless, some other issues make the locomotion control of legged robots a much complicated task, such as the redundant degree of freedoms and balance keeping. From literatures, locomotion control has been solved mainly based on programming mechanism. To use this method, walking trajectories for each leg and the gaits have to be designed, and the adaptability to an unknown environment cannot be guaranteed. From another aspect, studying and simulating animals＇ walking mechanism for engineering application is an efficient way to break the bottleneck of locomotion control for legged robots. This has attracted more and more attentions. Inspired by central pattern generator （CPG）, a control method has been proved to be a successful attempt within this scope. In this paper, we will review the biological mechanism, the existence evidences, and the network properties of CPG. From the en- gineering perspective, we will introduce the engineering simulation of CPG, the property analysis, and the research progress of CPG inspired control method in locomotion control of legged robots. Then, in our research, we will further discuss on existing problems, hot issues, and future research directions in this field.展开更多
To realize the coordinated and stable rhythmic motion of quadruped robots （QRs）, the locomotion control method of QRs based on central pattern generator （CPG） was explored. In tradi- tional control strategies base...To realize the coordinated and stable rhythmic motion of quadruped robots （QRs）, the locomotion control method of QRs based on central pattern generator （CPG） was explored. In tradi- tional control strategies based on CPG, few CPG models care about the intra-limb coordination of QRs, and the durations of stance phase and swing phase are always equal. In view of these deficien- cies, a new and simpler multi-joint coordinated control method for both inter-limb and intra-limb was proposed in this paper. A layered CPG control network to realize the locomotion control of QRs was constructed by using modified Hopf oscillators. The coupled relationships among hip joints of all limbs and between hip joint and knee joint within a limb were established. Using the co-simulation method of ADAMS and MATLAB/Simulink, various gait simulation experiments were carried out and the effectiveness of the designed control network was tested. Simulation results show that the pro- posed control method is effective for QRs and can meet the control requirements of QRs＇ gaits with different duty factors.展开更多
A multiple-legged robot is traditionally controlled by using its dynamic model.But the dynamic-model-based approach fails to acquire satisfactory performances when the robot faces rough terrains and unknown environmen...A multiple-legged robot is traditionally controlled by using its dynamic model.But the dynamic-model-based approach fails to acquire satisfactory performances when the robot faces rough terrains and unknown environments.Referring animals＇ neural control mechanisms,a control model is built for a quadruped robot walking adaptively.The basic rhythmic motion of the robot is controlled by a well-designed rhythmic motion controller（RMC） comprising a central pattern generator（CPG） for hip joints and a rhythmic coupler（RC） for knee joints.CPG and RC have relationships of motion-mapping and rhythmic couple.Multiple sensory-motor models,abstracted from the neural reflexes of a cat,are employed.These reflex models are organized and thus interact with the CPG in three layers,to meet different requirements of complexity and response time to the tasks.On the basis of the RMC and layered biological reflexes,a quadruped robot is constructed,which can clear obstacles and walk uphill and downhill autonomously,and make a turn voluntarily in uncertain environments,interacting with the environment in a way similar to that of an animal.The paper provides a biologically inspired architecture,with which a robot can walk adaptively in uncertain environments in a simple and effective way,and achieve better performances.展开更多
The neural-based approaches inspired by biological neural mechanisms of locomotion are becoming increasingly popular in robot control.This paper investigates a systematic method to formulate a Central Pattern Generato...The neural-based approaches inspired by biological neural mechanisms of locomotion are becoming increasingly popular in robot control.This paper investigates a systematic method to formulate a Central Pattern Generator(CPG) based control model for mul-timodal swimming of a multi-articulated robotic fish with flexible pectoral fins.A CPG network is created to yield diverse swim-ming in three dimensions by coupling a set of nonlinear neural oscillators using nearest-neighbor interactions.In particular,a sensitivity analysis of characteristic parameters and a stability proof of the CPG network are given.Through the coordinated con-trol of the joint CPG,caudal fin CPG,and pectoral fin CPG,a diversity of swimming modes are defined and successfully imple-mented.The latest results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.It is also confirmed that the CPG-based swimming control exhibits better dynamic invariability in preserving rhythm than the conventional body wave method.展开更多
With slim and legless body, particular ball articulation, and rhythmic locomotion, a nature snake adapted itself to many terrains under the control of a neuron system. Based on analyzing the locomotion mechanism, the ...With slim and legless body, particular ball articulation, and rhythmic locomotion, a nature snake adapted itself to many terrains under the control of a neuron system. Based on analyzing the locomotion mechanism, the main functional features of the motor system in snakes are specified in detail. Furthermore, a bidirectional cyclic inhibitory （BCl） CPG model is applied for the first time to imitate the pattern generation for the locomotion control of the snake-like robot, and its characteristics are discussed, particularly for the generation of three kinds of rhythmic locomotion. Moreover, we introduce the neuron network organized by the BCI-CPGs connected in line with unilateral excitation to switch automatically locomotion pattern of a snake-like robot under different commands from the higher level control neuron and present a necessary condition for the CPG neuron network to sustain a rhythmic output. The validity for the generation of different kinds of rhythmic locomotion modes by the CPG network are verified by the dynamic simulations and experiments. This research provided a new method to model the generation mechanism of the rhythmic pattern of the snake.展开更多
Motion control based on biologically inspired methods,such as Central Pattern Generator(CPG)models,offers a promising technique for robot control.However,for a quadruped robot which needs to maintain balance while per...Motion control based on biologically inspired methods,such as Central Pattern Generator(CPG)models,offers a promising technique for robot control.However,for a quadruped robot which needs to maintain balance while performing flexible movements,this technique often requires a complicated nonlinear oscillator to build a controller,and it is difficult to achieve agility by merely modifying the predefined limit cycle in real time.In this study,we tried to solve this problem by constructing a multi-module controller based on CPG.The different parallel modules will ensure the dynamic stability and agility of walking.In the proposed controller,a specific control task is accomplished by adding basic and superposed motions.The basic motions decide the basic foot end trajectories,which are generated by the predefined limit cycle of the CPG model.According to conventional kinematics-based design,the superposed motions are generated through different modules alter the basic foot end trajectories to maintain balance and increase agility.As a considerable stability margin can be achieved,different modules are designed separately.The proposed CPG-based controller is capable of stabilizing a walking quadruped robot and performing start and stop movements,turning,lateral movement and reversal in real time.Experiments and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.展开更多
We make a thorough kinematic comparison of forward and backward swimming and maneuvering on a self-propelled robot platform that uses sub-carangifbrm swimming as the primary propulsor. An improved Central Pattern Gene...We make a thorough kinematic comparison of forward and backward swimming and maneuvering on a self-propelled robot platform that uses sub-carangifbrm swimming as the primary propulsor. An improved Central Pattern Generator （CPG） model allowing free adjustment of phase relationship and directional bias is employed to achieve flexible swimming and smooth transition. Considering the characteristics of forward swimming in carangiform fish and backward swimming in anguilliform fish, various backward swimming patterns for the sub-carangiform robotic fish are suitably created by reversing the direction of propagating propulsive waves. Through a combined use of the CPG control and closed-loop swimming direction control strategy, flexible and precise turning maneuvers in both forward and backward swimming are implemented and compared. By contrast with forward swimming, backward swimming requires a higher frequency or an increased lateral displacement to reach the same relative swimming speed. Noticeably, the phase difference shows a greater impact on forward swimming than on backward swimming. Our observations also indicate that the robotic fish achieves a larger turning rate in forward maneuvering than in backward maneuvering, yet these two maneuvers display comparable turning precision.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60875057)the National High-Tech Research & Development Program of China (Grant No. 2009AA04Z213)
文摘Compared with wheeled mobile robots, legged robots can easily step over obstacles and walk through rugged ground. They have more flexible bodies and therefore, can deal with complex environment. Nevertheless, some other issues make the locomotion control of legged robots a much complicated task, such as the redundant degree of freedoms and balance keeping. From literatures, locomotion control has been solved mainly based on programming mechanism. To use this method, walking trajectories for each leg and the gaits have to be designed, and the adaptability to an unknown environment cannot be guaranteed. From another aspect, studying and simulating animals＇ walking mechanism for engineering application is an efficient way to break the bottleneck of locomotion control for legged robots. This has attracted more and more attentions. Inspired by central pattern generator （CPG）, a control method has been proved to be a successful attempt within this scope. In this paper, we will review the biological mechanism, the existence evidences, and the network properties of CPG. From the en- gineering perspective, we will introduce the engineering simulation of CPG, the property analysis, and the research progress of CPG inspired control method in locomotion control of legged robots. Then, in our research, we will further discuss on existing problems, hot issues, and future research directions in this field.
基金Supported by the Ministerial Level Advanced Research Foundation(40401060305)
文摘To realize the coordinated and stable rhythmic motion of quadruped robots （QRs）, the locomotion control method of QRs based on central pattern generator （CPG） was explored. In tradi- tional control strategies based on CPG, few CPG models care about the intra-limb coordination of QRs, and the durations of stance phase and swing phase are always equal. In view of these deficien- cies, a new and simpler multi-joint coordinated control method for both inter-limb and intra-limb was proposed in this paper. A layered CPG control network to realize the locomotion control of QRs was constructed by using modified Hopf oscillators. The coupled relationships among hip joints of all limbs and between hip joint and knee joint within a limb were established. Using the co-simulation method of ADAMS and MATLAB/Simulink, various gait simulation experiments were carried out and the effectiveness of the designed control network was tested. Simulation results show that the pro- posed control method is effective for QRs and can meet the control requirements of QRs＇ gaits with different duty factors.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50905012)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. 2012JBM088)
文摘A multiple-legged robot is traditionally controlled by using its dynamic model.But the dynamic-model-based approach fails to acquire satisfactory performances when the robot faces rough terrains and unknown environments.Referring animals＇ neural control mechanisms,a control model is built for a quadruped robot walking adaptively.The basic rhythmic motion of the robot is controlled by a well-designed rhythmic motion controller（RMC） comprising a central pattern generator（CPG） for hip joints and a rhythmic coupler（RC） for knee joints.CPG and RC have relationships of motion-mapping and rhythmic couple.Multiple sensory-motor models,abstracted from the neural reflexes of a cat,are employed.These reflex models are organized and thus interact with the CPG in three layers,to meet different requirements of complexity and response time to the tasks.On the basis of the RMC and layered biological reflexes,a quadruped robot is constructed,which can clear obstacles and walk uphill and downhill autonomously,and make a turn voluntarily in uncertain environments,interacting with the environment in a way similar to that of an animal.The paper provides a biologically inspired architecture,with which a robot can walk adaptively in uncertain environments in a simple and effective way,and achieve better performances.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (60775053,61075102)in part by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (4102063,4122084)
文摘The neural-based approaches inspired by biological neural mechanisms of locomotion are becoming increasingly popular in robot control.This paper investigates a systematic method to formulate a Central Pattern Generator(CPG) based control model for mul-timodal swimming of a multi-articulated robotic fish with flexible pectoral fins.A CPG network is created to yield diverse swim-ming in three dimensions by coupling a set of nonlinear neural oscillators using nearest-neighbor interactions.In particular,a sensitivity analysis of characteristic parameters and a stability proof of the CPG network are given.Through the coordinated con-trol of the joint CPG,caudal fin CPG,and pectoral fin CPG,a diversity of swimming modes are defined and successfully imple-mented.The latest results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.It is also confirmed that the CPG-based swimming control exhibits better dynamic invariability in preserving rhythm than the conventional body wave method.
基金Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60375029)the National Hi-tech Research and Development Plan (Grant No. 2001AA422360)the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid (Grant No. 15360129)
文摘With slim and legless body, particular ball articulation, and rhythmic locomotion, a nature snake adapted itself to many terrains under the control of a neuron system. Based on analyzing the locomotion mechanism, the main functional features of the motor system in snakes are specified in detail. Furthermore, a bidirectional cyclic inhibitory （BCl） CPG model is applied for the first time to imitate the pattern generation for the locomotion control of the snake-like robot, and its characteristics are discussed, particularly for the generation of three kinds of rhythmic locomotion. Moreover, we introduce the neuron network organized by the BCI-CPGs connected in line with unilateral excitation to switch automatically locomotion pattern of a snake-like robot under different commands from the higher level control neuron and present a necessary condition for the CPG neuron network to sustain a rhythmic output. The validity for the generation of different kinds of rhythmic locomotion modes by the CPG network are verified by the dynamic simulations and experiments. This research provided a new method to model the generation mechanism of the rhythmic pattern of the snake.
基金the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Y18F030012)the Natural Science Foundation of China(61836015)+1 种基金the Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(2017WHZZB0302)the State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology,China(ICT1807).
文摘Motion control based on biologically inspired methods,such as Central Pattern Generator(CPG)models,offers a promising technique for robot control.However,for a quadruped robot which needs to maintain balance while performing flexible movements,this technique often requires a complicated nonlinear oscillator to build a controller,and it is difficult to achieve agility by merely modifying the predefined limit cycle in real time.In this study,we tried to solve this problem by constructing a multi-module controller based on CPG.The different parallel modules will ensure the dynamic stability and agility of walking.In the proposed controller,a specific control task is accomplished by adding basic and superposed motions.The basic motions decide the basic foot end trajectories,which are generated by the predefined limit cycle of the CPG model.According to conventional kinematics-based design,the superposed motions are generated through different modules alter the basic foot end trajectories to maintain balance and increase agility.As a considerable stability margin can be achieved,different modules are designed separately.The proposed CPG-based controller is capable of stabilizing a walking quadruped robot and performing start and stop movements,turning,lateral movement and reversal in real time.Experiments and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
基金Acknowledgments This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Nos. 61375102 and 61333016）, the Beijing Natural Science Foundation （Nos. 4122084 and 3141002）, and the Interdisciplinary Cooperation Project of Beijing Nova Program （No. XXHZ201303）.
文摘We make a thorough kinematic comparison of forward and backward swimming and maneuvering on a self-propelled robot platform that uses sub-carangifbrm swimming as the primary propulsor. An improved Central Pattern Generator （CPG） model allowing free adjustment of phase relationship and directional bias is employed to achieve flexible swimming and smooth transition. Considering the characteristics of forward swimming in carangiform fish and backward swimming in anguilliform fish, various backward swimming patterns for the sub-carangiform robotic fish are suitably created by reversing the direction of propagating propulsive waves. Through a combined use of the CPG control and closed-loop swimming direction control strategy, flexible and precise turning maneuvers in both forward and backward swimming are implemented and compared. By contrast with forward swimming, backward swimming requires a higher frequency or an increased lateral displacement to reach the same relative swimming speed. Noticeably, the phase difference shows a greater impact on forward swimming than on backward swimming. Our observations also indicate that the robotic fish achieves a larger turning rate in forward maneuvering than in backward maneuvering, yet these two maneuvers display comparable turning precision.
