Inverse kinematic deriving and actuator control of Delta robot using symbolic computation technology

In order to effectively derive the inverse kinematic solution of the Delta robot and realize actuator control a description of the linear graph principle for automatically generating kinematic equations in a mechanical system as well as the symbolic computation implementation of this procedure is reviewed and projected into the Delta robot. Based on the established linear graph representation the explicit symbolic expression of constraint equations and inverse kinematic solutions are obtained successfully using a symbolic computation engine Maple so that actuator control and trajectory tracking can be directly realized.Two practical motions the circular path and Adept motion are simulated for the validation of symbolic solutions respectively.Results indicate that the simulation satisfies the requirement of the quick motion within an acceptable threshold. Thus the precision of kinematic response can be confirmed and the correctness of inverse solution is verified.

Bionic Mechanism and Kinematics Analysis of Hopping Robot Inspired by Locust Jumping

A flexible-rigid hopping mechanism which is inspired by the locust jumping was proposed, and its kinematic characteris- tics were analyzed. A series of experiments were conducted to observe locust morphology and jumping process. According to classic mechanics, the jumping process analysis was conducted to build the relationship of the locust jumping parameters. The take-offphase was divided into four stages in detail. Based on the biological observation and kinematics analysis, a mechanical model was proposed to simulate locust jumping. The forces of the flexible-rigid hopping mechanism at each stage were ana- lyzed. The kinematic analysis using pseudo-rigid-body model was described by D-H method. It is confirmed that the proposed bionic mechanism has the similar performance as the locust hind leg in hopping. Moreover, the jumping angle which decides the jumping process was discussed, and its relation with other parameters was established. A calculation case analysis corroborated the method. The results of this paper show that the proposed bionic mechanism which is inspired by the locust hind limb has an excellent kinematics performance, which can provide a foundation for design and motion planning of the hopping robot.

Kinematics and Dynamics Analysis of a Quadruped Walking Robot with Parallel Leg Mechanism

It is desired to require a walking robot for the elderly and the disabled to have large capacity,high stiffness,stability,etc.However,the existing walking robots cannot achieve these requirements because of the weight-payload ratio and simple function.Therefore,Improvement of enhancing capacity and functions of the walking robot is an important research issue.According to walking requirements and combining modularization and reconfigurable ideas,a quadruped/biped reconfigurable walking robot with parallel leg mechanism is proposed.The proposed robot can be used for both a biped and a quadruped walking robot.The kinematics and performance analysis of a 3-UPU parallel mechanism which is the basic leg mechanism of a quadruped walking robot are conducted and the structural parameters are optimized.The results show that performance of the walking robot is optimal when the circumradius R,r of the upper and lower platform of leg mechanism are 161.7 mm,57.7 mm,respectively.Based on the optimal results,the kinematics and dynamics of the quadruped walking robot in the static walking mode are derived with the application of parallel mechanism and influence coefficient theory,and the optimal coordination distribution of the dynamic load for the quadruped walking robot with over-determinate inputs is analyzed,which solves dynamic load coupling caused by the branches’ constraint of the robot in the walk process.Besides laying a theoretical foundation for development of the prototype,the kinematics and dynamics studies on the quadruped walking robot also boost the theoretical research of the quadruped walking and the practical applications of parallel mechanism.

Learning from Fish: Kinematics and Experimental Hydrodynamics for Roboticists

Over the past 20 years, experimental analyses of the biomechanics of locomotion in fishes have generated a number of key findings that are relevant to the construction of biomimetic fish robots. In this paper, we present 16 results from recent experimental research on the mechanics, kinematics, fluid dynamics, and control of fish locomotion that summarize recent work on fish biomechanics. The findings and principles that have emerged from biomechanical studies of fish locomotion provide important insights into the functional design of fishes and suggest specific design features relevant to construction of robotic fish-inspired vehicles that underlie the high locomotor performance exhibited by fishes.

Design of a Two-Step Calibration Method of Kinematic Parameters for Serial Robots

Serial robots are used to handle workpieces with large dimensions, and calibrating kinematic parameters is one of the most efficient ways to upgrade their accuracy. Many models are set up to investigate how many kinematic parameters can be identified to meet the minimal principle, but the base frame and the kinematic parameter are indistinctly calibrated in a one-step way. A two-step method of calibrating kinematic parameters is proposed to improve the accuracy of the robot＇s base frame and kinematic parameters. The forward kinematics described with respect to the measuring coordinate frame are established based on the product- of-exponential （POE） formula. In the first step the robot＇s base coordinate frame is calibrated by the unit quaternion form. The errors of both the robot＇s reference configuration and the base coordinate frame＇s pose are equivalently transformed to the zero-position errors of the robot＇s joints. The simplified model of the robot＇s positioning error is established in second-power explicit expressions. Then the identification model is finished by the least square method, requiring measuring position coordinates only. The complete subtasks of calibrating the robot＇ s 39 kinematic parameters are finished in the second step. It＇s proved by a group of calibration experiments that by the proposed two-step calibration method the average absolute accuracy of industrial robots is updated to 0.23 mm. This paper presents that the robot＇s base frame should be calibrated before its kinematic parameters in order to upgrade its absolute positioning accuracy.

Two optimization algorithms for solving robotics inverse kinematics with redundancy

The kinematic redundancy in a robot leads to an infinite number of solutions for inverse kinematics, which implies the possibility to select a 'best' solution according to an optimization criterion. In this paper, two optimization objective functions are proposed, aiming at either minimizing extra degrees of freedom (DOFs) or minimizing the total potential energy of a multilink redundant robot. Physical constraints of either equality or inequality types are taken into consideration in the objective functions. Since the closed-form solutions do not exist in general for highly nonlinear and constrained optimization problems, we adopt and develop two numerical methods, which are verified to be effective and precise in solving the two optimization problems associated with the redundant inverse kinematics. We first verify that the well established trajectory following method can precisely solve the two optimization problems, but is computation intensive. To reduce the computation time, a sequential approach that combines the sequential quadratic programming and iterative Newton-Raphson algorithm is developed. A 4-DOF Fujitsu Hoap-1 humanoid robot arm is used as a prototype to validate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization solutions.

Wavelet network solution for the inverse kinematics problem in robotic manipulator

Wavelet network, a class of neural network consisting of wavelets, is proposed to solve the inverse kinematics problem in robotic manipulator. A wavelet network suitable for dealing with multi-input and multi-output system is constructed. The network is optimized by reducing the number of wavelets handling large dimension problem according to the sample data. The algorithms for sparseness analysis of input data and fitting wavelets to the output data with orthogonal method are introduced. Then Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is used to train the network. Simulation results showed that this method is capable of solving the inverse kinematics problem for PUMA560.

Kinematics of novel 6-HTRT parallel robot

A parallel robot featwes low inertia moment of end effector, high mechanical rigitity, high mobility, no accumulation of motion error at end effector and high capacity of load, and it has found a wide applications in various fields such as automobile assembly line, earth digging machine, conjuncture of aircraft and flight simulator. In this paper the kinematics of a novel style 6 HTRT Parallel Robot is studied. The algorithm for an inverse kinematic problem of the parallel robot considering the constraint condition is presented. By the use of vector cross product method, the comprehensive coefficient of the parallel mechanism is introduced and the Jacobian matrix of a 6 HTRT parallel robot is presented. The relationship between the velocity of end manipulator and the generalized velocity is also studied with the method of Jacobian matrix. Using the result of study in mechanical dimension synthesis, better performance is achieved with the parallel robot. In motion control, it will be helpful for us to simplify the control algorithm and make more efficient trajectory planning.

Study on general inverse kinematics of rotating/tilting positioner for robotic arc welding off-line programming

Off line programming provides an essential link between CAD and CAM, whose development will result in greater use of robotic arc welding. An arc welding system with a robot and a rotating/tilting positioner is one of the most typical workcells. The inverse kinematics of robot and positioner is the foundation of the off line programming system. The previous researchers only focused on a special solution of the positioner inverse kinematics, which is the solution at down hand welding position. In this paper, we introduce a method for representing welding position. Then a general algorithm of rotating/tilting positioner inverse kinematics is presented, and an approach to find the unique solution of the inverse kinematics is discussed. The simulation experiment results show that the general algorithm can improve the ability of robotic arc welding off line programming system to program all types of welding positions.

Optimal measurement configurations for kinematic calibration of six-DOF serial robot

An optimal measurement pose number searching method was designed to improve the pose selection method.Several optimal robot measurement configurations were added to an initial pre-selected optimal configuration set to establish a new configuration set for robot calibration one by one.The root mean squares (RMS) of the errors of each end-effector poses after being calibrated by these configuration sets were calculated.The optimal number of the configuration set corresponding to the least RMS of pose error was then obtained.Calibration based on those poses selected by this algorithm can get higher end-effector accuracy,meanwhile consumes less time.An optimal pose set including optimal 25 measurement configurations is found during the simulation.Tracking errors after calibration by using these poses are 1.54,1.61 and 0.86 mm,and better than those before calibration which are 7.79,7.62 and 8.29 mm,even better than those calibrated by the random method which are 2.22,2.35 and 1.69 mm in directions X,Y and Z,respectively.

Configuration Design and Kinematic Performance Analysis of a Novel 4-DOF Parallel Ankle Rehabilitation Mechanism with Two Virtual Motion Centers

Aiming at the problem that the existing ankle rehabilitation robot is difficult to fully fit the complex motion of human ankle joint and has poor human-machine motion compatibility,an equivalent series mechanism model that is highly matched with the actual bone structure of the human ankle joint is proposed and mapped into a parallel rehabilita-tion mechanism.The parallel rehabilitation mechanism has two virtual motion centers(VMCs),which can simulate the complex motion of the ankle joint,adapt to the individual differences of various patients,and can meet the reha-bilitation needs of both left and right feet of patients.Firstly,based on the motion properties and physiological structure of the human ankle joint,the mapping relationship between the rehabilitation mechanism and ankle joint is determined,and the series equivalent model of the ankle joint is established.According to the kinematic and con-straint properties of the ankle equivalent model,the configuration design of the parallel ankle rehabilitation robot is carried out.Secondly,according to the intersecting motion planes theory,the full-cycle mobility of the mechanism is proved,and the continuous axis of the mechanism is judged based on the constraint power and its derivative.Then,the kinematics of the parallel ankle rehabilitation robot is analyzed.Finally,based on the OpenSim biomechanical soft-ware,a human-machine coupling rehabilitation simulation model is established to evaluate the rehabilitation effect,which lays the foundation for the formulation of a rehabilitation strategy for the later prototype.

A Hyper-redundant Elephant’s Trunk Robot with an Open Structure:Design,Kinematics,Control and Prototype

As for the complex operational tasks in the unstructured environment with narrow workspace and numerous obstacles,the traditional robots cannot accomplish these mentioned complex operational tasks and meet the dexterity demands.The hyper-redundant bionic robots can complete complex tasks in the unstructured environments by simulating the motion characteristics of the elephant’s trunk and octopus tentacles.Compared with traditional robots,the hyper-redundant bionic robots can accomplish complex tasks because of their flexible structure.A hyper-redundant elephant’s trunk robot(HRETR)with an open structure is developed in this paper.The content includes mechanical structure design,kinematic analysis,virtual prototype simulation,control system design,and prototype building.This design is inspired by the flexible motion of an elephant’s trunk,which is expansible and is composed of six unit modules,namely,3UPS-PS parallel in series.First,the mechanical design of the HRETR is completed according to the motion characteristics of an elephant’s trunk and based on the principle of mechanical bionic design.After that,the backbone mode method is used to establish the kinematic model of the robot.The simulation software SolidWorks and ADAMS are combined to analyze the kinematic characteristics when the trajectory of the end moving platform of the robot is assigned.With the help of ANSYS,the static stiffness of each component and the whole robot is analyzed.On this basis,the materials of the weak parts of the mechanical structure and the hardware are selected reasonably.Next,the extensible structures of software and hardware control system are constructed according to the modular and hierarchical design criteria.Finally,the prototype is built and its performance is tested.The proposed research provides a method for the design and development for the hyper-redundant bionic robot.

Design and Kinematic Analysis of a Novel Humanoid Robot Eye Using Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

This paper proposed a novel humanoid robot eye, which is driven by six Pneumatic Artificial Muscles （PAMs） and rotates with 3 Degree of Freedom （DOF）. The design of the mechanism and motion type of the robot eye are inspired by that of human eyes. The model of humanoid robot eye is established as a parallel mechanism, and the inverse-kinematic problem of this flexible tendons driving parallel system is solved by the analytical geometry method. As an extension, the simulation result for saccadic movement is presented under three conditions. The design and kinematic analysis of the prototype could be a sig- nificant step towards the goal of building an autonomous humanoid robot eye with the movement and especially the visual functions similar to that of human.

Kinematics of a Trinal-Branch Space Robotic Manipulator with Redundancy

This paper presents a trinal-branch space robotic manipulator with redundancy, due to hash application environments, such as in the station. One end-effector of the manipulator can be attached to the base, and other two be controlled to accomplish tasks. The manipulator permits operation of science payload, during periods when astronauts may not be present. In order to provide theoretic basis for kinematics optimization, dynamics optimization and fault-tolerant control, its inverse kinematics is analyzed by using screw theory, and its unified formulation is established. Base on closed-form resolution of spherical wrist, a simplified inverse kinematics is proposed. Computer simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed inverse kinematics.

PRINCIPLE, CONSTRUCTION AND KINEMATIC ANALYSIS FOR THE OMNIDIRECTIONAL MOBILE ROBOT——ICE-SKATER ROBOT

Three main basic types of locomotion for a mobile robot were introduced and the advantages and disadvantages of a legged mobile robot, a wheeled mobile robot and an articulated mobile robot were also discussed. A new type of leg wheeled mobile robot was introduced which combines the adaptability of legged robot with the stability of wheeled robot. On the basis of the structure of the wheels, the paper described the principle of the ice skater robot developed from Roller walker and ALDURO and its construction. The paper also established an inertia coordinate system and a wheel coordinate system, and analyzed the configuration or the posture and the related kinematic constraints of the robot according to some assumptions. Based on the motion principle, a logic based coordinated control system and corresponded flowchart were designed. At last, taking the ice skater robot as an example the paper expounded its application and the actual experiment proved its feasibility.

Design of Self‑Reconfigurable Multiarm Robot Mechanism Based on Deployable Kinematic Chains

As the structures of multiarm robots are serially arranged,the packaging and transportation of these robots are often inconvenient.The ability of these robots to operate objects must also be improved.Addressing this issue,this paper presents a type of multiarm robot that can be adequately folded into a designed area.The robot can achieve different operation modes by combining different arms and objects.First,deployable kinematic chains(DKCs)are designed,which can be folded into a designated area and be used as an arm structure in the multiarm robot mechanism.The strategy of a platform for storing DKCs is proposed.Based on the restrictions in the storage area and the characteristics of parallel mechanisms,a class of DKCs,called base assembly library,is obtained.Subsequently,an assembly method for the synthesis of the multiarm robot mechanism is proposed,which can be formed by the connection of a multiarm robot mechanism with an operation object based on a parallel mechanism structure.The formed parallel mechanism can achieve a reconfigurable characteristic when different DKCs connect to the operation object.Using this method,two types of multiarm robot mechanisms with four DKCs that can switch operation modes to perform different tasks through autonomous combination and release operation is proposed.The obtained mechanisms have observable advantages when compared with the traditional mechanisms,including optimizing the occupied volume during transportation and using parallel mechanism theory to analyze the switching of operation modes.

CONTINUATION METHOD APPLIED IN KINEMATICS OF PARALLEL ROBOT

Continuation method solving forward kinematics problem of parallel robot was discussed. And through a coefficient-parameter continuation method the efficiency and feasibility of continuation method were improved. Using this method all forward solutions of a new parallel robot model which was put forward lately by Robot Open Laboratory of Science Institute of China were obtained. Therefore it provided the basis of mechanism analysis and real-time control for new model.

Three-Dimensional Kinematics Simulation of Robot Fighting Platform in Virtual Environment

A method of 3 D kinematics simulation of robot fighting platform （RFP） in virtual environment is proposed with the aim of enhancing vision telepresence. Based on the theory of space coordinate transformation, kinematics equat!ons of RFP are formulated; followed by applying a method of modeling using 3DMAX software to build an RFP＇s 3D geometric model before a 3D kinematics simulation system of RFP is completed based on virtual reality technology and Open Inventor VC ＋ ＋. Test results have indicated that this system can perform RFP＇s kinematics simulation in virtual environment. It can also imitate RFP＇s motion states and environmental features well. Moreover, not only can better real-time performances and interactions be achieved but also operator＇s vision telepresence be enhanced, therefore this approach may help lay the foundation for the realization of RFP＇s teleoperation with vision telepresence.

Kinematics analysis for obstacle-surmounting capability of a joint double-tracked robot

A double-tracked robot is designed from mechanical and control perspectives,which consists of two segments connected with a swing joint. As the angle between the two segments of the robot platform can be changed,the robot can move like a four-tracked robot on many terrains. The center of gravity（ CG） kinematics model is established,which plays an important role in the process of traveling over obstacles and climbing up stairs. Using this model,the CG change situation and the maximal height of the climbable obstacle are obtained. Then the relationship between the robot pitch angle and the height of the obstacle is established. Finally,a reasonable system structure for the robot is designed and its kinematics analysis for obstacle-surmounting capability is conducted through experiments.

Inverse kinematics and welding experiments of the intersecting pipe welding robot

A robot used for multi-pass welding of the piping branch junctions and nozzle attachments to main pressure vessels is 4-DOF serial mechanism, two mobile joints and two rotary joints are adopted in design. The kinematic model was established with DH parameters, the inverse kinematics was solved. According to the forward and inverse kinematics equations, the robot kinematics was simulated in Matlab, the simulations indicate that the solution for inverse kinematics can satisfy the welding requirements well. As there are size errors, processing errors and welding deformation, the path of welding is forecasted according to the previous welding situation, and then, the path is taught at desired via-points, which plays an important role in submerged-arc welding. The submerged-arc welding experiments indicate that the robot and the welding methods are preferable to ensure welding quality.