Simulation Analysis of Deformation Control for Magnetic Soft Medical Robots

Dear Editor,This letter presents a biocompatible cross-shaped magnetic soft robot and investigates its deformation mode control strategy through COMSOL modeling and simulation.Magnetic soft robots offer novel avenues for precise treatment within intricate regions of the human body.

Motion simulation and experiment of a novel modular self-reconfigurable robot

Based on the character of the modular self-reconfigurable （MSR） robot, a novel homogeneous and lattice MSR robot, M-Cubes, was designed. Each module unit of the robot has 12 freedoms and is composed of six rotary joints and one cubic link. An attached/detached mechanism was designed on the rotary joints. A novel space transmitting system was placed on the inner portion of the cubic link. A motor separately transmitted torque to the six joints which were distributed equally on six surfaces of the cubic link. The example of a basic motion for the module was demonstrated. The result shows that the robot is concise and compact in structure, highly efficient in transmission, credible in connecting, and simple in controlling. At the same time, a simulator is developed to graphically design the system configuration, the reconfiguration process and the motion of cluster modules. The character of local action for the cellular automata （CA） is utilized. Each module is simplified as a cell. The transition rules of the CA are developed to combine with the genetic algorithm （GA） and applied to each module to accomplish distributed control. Simulation proves that the method is effective and feasible.

Humanoid Robot 3-D Motion Simulation for Hardware Realization

In this paper,three dimensions kinematics and kinetics simulation are discussed for hardware realization of a physical biped walking-chair robot.The direct and inverse close-form kinematics solution of the biped walking-chair robot is deduced.Several gaits are realized with the kinematics solution,including walking straight on level floor,going up stair,squatting down and standing up.Zero Moment Point(ZMP)equation is analyzed considering the movement of the crew.The simulated biped walking-chair robot is used for mechanical design,gaits development and validation before they are tested on real robot.

Identification of Issues in Predicting Multi-Robot Performance through Model-Based Simulations

Predicting the performance of intelligent multi-robot systems is advantageous because running physical experiments with teams of robots can be costly and time consuming. Controlling for every factor can be difficult in the presence of minor disparities (i.e. battery charge). Access to a variety of environmental configurations and hardware choices is prohibitive in many cases. With the eminent need for dependable robot controllers and algorithms, it is essential to understand when real robot performance can be accurately predicted. New prediction methods must account for the effects of digital and physical interaction between the robots that are more complex than just collision detection of 2D or physics-based 3D models. In this paper, we identify issues in predicting multi-robot performance and present examples of statistical and model-based simulation methods and their applicability to multi-robot systems. Even when sensor noise, latency and environmental configuration are modeled in some complexity, multi-robot systems interject interference and messaging latency, causing many prediction systems to fail to correlate to absolute or relative performance. We support this supposition by comparing results from 3D physics-based simulations to identical experiments with a physical robot team for a coverage task.

Dynamic simulation and experimental study of inspection robot for high-voltage transmission-line

A mobile robot developed by Wuhan University for full-path hotline inspection on 220 kV transmission lines was presented. With 4 rotating joints and 2 translational ones, such robot is capable of traveling along non- obstaclestraight-line segment and surmounting straight-line segment obstacles as well as transferring between two spans automatically. Lagrange’s equations were utilized to derive dynamic equations of all the links, including items of inertia, coupling inertia, Coriolis acceleration, centripetal acceleration and gravity. And a dynamic response experiment on elemental motions of robot prototype’s travelling along non-obstacle straight-line segment and surmounting obstacles was performed on 220 kV 1∶1 simulative overhanging transmission-line in laboratory. In addition, dynamic numerical simulation was conducted in the corresponding condition. Comparison and analysis on results of experiment and numerical simulation have validated theoretical model and simulation resolution. Therefore, the dynamic model formed hereunder can be used for the study of robot control.

Dynamic Finite Element Modeling and Simulation of Soft Robots

Soft robots have become important members of the robot community with many potential applications owing to their unique flexibility and security embedded at the material level.An increasing number of researchers are interested in their designing,manufacturing,modeling,and control.However,the dynamic simulation of soft robots is difficult owing to their infinite degrees of freedom and nonlinear characteristics that are associated with soft materials and flexible geometric structures.In this study,a novel multi-flexible body dynamic modeling and simulation technique is introduced for soft robots.Various actuators for soft robots are modeled in a virtual environment,including soft cable-driven,spring actuation,and pneumatic driving.A pneumatic driving simulation was demonstrated by the bending modules with different materials.A cable-driven soft robot arm prototype and a cylindrical soft module actuated by shape memory alley springs inspired by an octopus were manufactured and used to validate the simulation model,and the experimental results demonstrated adequate accuracy.The proposed technique can be widely applied for the modeling and dynamic simulation of other soft robots,including hybrid actuated robots and rigid-flexible coupling robots.This study also provides a fundamental framework for simulating soft mobile robots and soft manipulators in contact with the environment.

Study on motion simulation of arc welding robot based on UG

The motion simulation of arc welding robot is the basis of the system of robot off-line programming, and it has been one of the important research directions. The UGNX 4. 0 is adopted to establish 3D simulating model of MOTOMAN-HP6 arc welding robot. The kinematic model under link-pole coordinate system is established by the second development function offered by UG/OPEN API and the method of programming using VC ＋＋ 6. 0. The methods of founding model and operational procedures are introduced, which provides a good basis for off-line programming technique under Unigraphies condition.

STUDY ON SINGULAR CONFIGURATIONS AND COMPUTER SIMULATION OF 6R ROBOT

When robot is at singular configuration, the limited hand velocity wouldrequire some joints with infeasible speeds so as to lead unsafely of the system. A method of solvingthe approximate velocity of joint near singular configuration point by adding damped vector isproposed and a modified algorithm is provided. With the analysis of J^(-1) the singularconfigurations of 6R robot are divided into structure boundary singularity , boundary singularity ,inner singularity and wrist singularity. The conditions of singularities of the robot have beenascertained. The computer simulations of the singularities of the robot are developed, which havemany advantages over previous description methods of the singular configurations of robot. With thehelp of boundary singularity analysis, a application in welding trajectory planning checking of therobot has been carried out and the simulation result proved visualized and useful.

Gait simulation of new robot for human walking on sand

In order to simulate the gait of human walking on different terrains a new robot with six degrees of freedom was proposed. Based on sand bearing characteristic compliance control was introduced to control system in horizontal and vertical movement directions at the end of the robot,and position control in attitude. With Matlab/Simulink toolbox,the system control models were established,and the bearing characteristics of rigid ground,hard sand,soft sand and softer sand were simulated. The results show that 0,0.62,0.89 and 1.12 mm are the maximal subsidences of the four kinds of ground along the positive direction of x-axis,respectively,and 0,-0.96,-1.99 and -3.00 mm are the maximal subsidences along the negative direction of x-axis,respectively. Every subsidence along y-axis is negative,and 0,-4.12,-8.23 and -12.01 mm are the maximal subsidences of the four kinds of ground,respectively. Simulation results show that the subsidence of footboard points to inferior anterior in early stage of stand phase,while points to posterior aspect in late stage. The subsidence tends to point to posterior aspect in the whole. These results are basically consistent with the gait characteristics of human walking on sand. Gait simulation of the robot for human walking on sand is achieved.

Co-simulation of a quadruped robot's mechanical and hydraulic systems based on ADAMS and AMESim

In order to observe the change and fluctuation in flow and pressure of a hydraulic quadruped robot＇s hydraulic system when the robot walks on trot gait,a co-simulation method based on ADAMS and AMESim is proposed. Firstly,the change rule in each swing angle of the hydraulic quadruped robot＇s four legs is analyzed and converted to the displacement change of the hydraulic cylinder by calculating their geometric relationship.Secondly,the robot＇s dynamic model is built in ADAMS and its hydraulic and control system models are built in AMESim. The displacement change of the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic system is used as the driving function of the dynamics model in ADAMS,and the driving force of the dynamics model is used as the loads of the hydraulic system in AMESim. By introducing the PID closed-loop control in the control system,the co-simulation between hydraulic system and mechanical system is implemented. Finally,the curve of hydraulic cylinders＇ loads,flow and pressure are analyzed and the results show that they fluctuate highly in accordance with the real situation. The study provides data support for the development of a hydraulic quadruped robot＇s physical prototype.

Off-line simulation of robot welding of radar pedestal

A study of the interference simulation based on robot welding of the radar pedestal was carried out by using the KUKA Sim Pro simulation software and off-line program technology. Compared with the actual robot welding process, it was found that the trajectory of the simulated robot welding process in line with that recorded in the actual welding process, and the actual limit and interference appeared at the same place as the simulation process. There was no interference phenomenon on the outside weld-seam; on the internal weld-seam, especially on the weld-joint of support plate connected to the cylinder, a phenomenon of interference appeared. It was helpful to use the simulation method to guide the actual robot welding so as to protect robot from impacting and reduce the weld defects.

Modeling and simulation for small-tracked mobile robots

The small-tracked mobile robots（ STMRs） are small,portable and concealed,and they are widely used in scouting,investigation,rescue and assistance. In this paper,a mechanical model is established based on the multi-body dynamic software RecurD yn,and a control system is simulated through Simulink,including its kinematics model,speed controller,motors＇ model. Associating the mechanical and control model,the cosimulation model is established for STMRs. The co-simulation approach is applied to optimize the motor parameters. A series of experiments are conducted to examine the accuracy of the virtual prototype,and the results demonstrate that the STMR virtual prototype can exactly illustrate the dynamic performance of the physical one.The co-simulation of mechanical model and control model is applied in forecasting and debugging critical parameters,also it provides guidance in defining motor＇s peak current.

Micro-Scale Motion Precision Simulation Method for a New-Type 6-DOF Micro-Manipulation Robot

A new 6-DOF micro-manipulation robot based on 3-PPTTRS parallel mechanisms in combination with flexure hinges is proposed. The design principle of the mechanism is introduced, and the kinematics analysis method based on differentiation is used to get the (inverse) kinematics equations. Then a micro-scale motion precision simulation method is proposed according to finite element analysis (FEA), and the prediction of robot’s motion precision in design phase is realized. The simulation result indicates that the 6-DOF micro-manipulation robot can meet the design specification.

Torque Control Algorithm and Its Simulation of Capturing a Moving Target for Free Flying Space Robots

Torque control algorithm and its simulation of capturing a moving target for Free Flying Space Robots(FFSR) are discussed in this paper. The efficient recursive algorithm of joint driven torque for FFSR is developed. The torque control algorithm combined with Resolved Motion Rate Contro(RMRC) based on Generalized Jacobian Matrix(GJM) for capturing a moving target is proposed. The computer simulation verifies the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Methods for the Construction and Realization of a Humanoid Robot's Simulation Platform

This paper proposes a method of humanoid robot data structure definition based on the characteristics of a graph with tree structure. It applies the depth-first search algorithm to traverse and uses screw theory and chain of multiplication to describe the robot＇s postures. The platform references zero moment point theory as the stability constraint of the robot＇s dynamic walking and plans the gaits accordingly, h also realizes the visualization of motion control. This study provides superior means and methods to the evolution of a humanoid robot.

The Structural Design, Simulation Analysis and Parameter Optimization of the Cheetah Robot's Lumbar Vertebrae

The quality of skeleton system for the cheetah robot goes hand in hand with its bionic result of its shape, structure and functions. In view of the skeleton system constitution and structural characteristic of the cheetah, the team applied structure design, stimulation analysis and parameter optimization to developing the cheetah robot. In addition, after the invention of cheetah robot＇s anterior lumbar vertebra based on its functional attribute and connectivity attribute, the Solidworks Simulation was utilized to analyze the design, according to which improvement on the lumbar vertebra was made. Plus, the advantages of the CAD and CAE made the high efficiency of design work and high quality of the cheetah robot possible.

Application and Simulation of GRNN for the Shotcrete Robot

The generalized regression neural network-one kind of RBF neural network, is chosen to construct the inverse-kinematics model for the shotcrete robot which has redundant degree-of-freedom. The inverse-kinematics model of the object is trained by the general learning method. In constructing model process, different partition methods is tried to divide the joint space and different diffusion coefficient value to train the neural network. The influence of the spread coefficient to the approach ability is also studied. The simulation method is adopted to test the performance of the neural network. The simulation result turns out to be satisfactory.

Simulation of a Walking Robot-E xoskeleton Movement on a Movable Base

The paper studies the problem of movement of a two-legged walking machine on a movable base.This task is relevant for design rehabilitation and mechanotherapy complexes for people with impaired functions of the musculoskeletal system and presents a mathematical model that allows obtaining the kinematic and dynamic parameters of the movement of the executive units of the device under study.The paper presents a method for planning the trajectory of exoskeleton links,its algorithmic and software implementation.The paper proposes the structure of the automatic link position control system,which ensures the movement of the executive links along a given trajectory.A mathematical apparatus is proposed for studying the dynamics of the controlled movement of the links of the human-machine system of the exoskeleton.The article presents the results of numerical.experiments on the movement of the low-limb exoskeleton leg in the one step mode and analyzes them.

Theoretical design and dynamic simulation of new mining paths of tracked miner on deep seafloor

With comprehensive considerations of the operational safety and collection efficiency for the tracked miner collecting the seafloor poly-metallic nodules, two new improved mining paths for the miner on the deep seafloor were proposed. Compared to the conventional mining path, the design principles and superiorities of the two new paths are that the miner turning with relative long radius should avoid large sinkage and high slip, so as to ensure its operational safety, while the space between its straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is optimum, which is designed as the total width of the miner, and collect nodules as more as possible, so as to ensure its collection efficiency. To realize the new mining paths, theoretical designs and quantitative calculations were carried out to determine the exact positions for the speed controls of the miner during its whole operation process. With the new dynamic model of the miner, and through regulations of the speeds of the left and right tracks of the miner on the exact motion positions according to the theoretical calculations, the two new improved mining paths for the miner on the seafloor were successfully simulated, thus the turning radius of the miner in the simulation is about 21.8 m, while the distance between the straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is about 5.2 m. The dynamic simulation results preliminarily prove the feasibility of these two new mining paths, and further can provide important theoretical guidance and useful technical reference for the practical tracked miner operation and control on the seafloor.

Heuristic Expanding Disconnected Graph:A Rapid Path Planning Method for Mobile Robots

Existing mobile robots mostly use graph search algorithms for path planning,which suffer from relatively low planning efficiency owing to high redundancy and large computational complexity.Due to the limitations of the neighborhood search strategy,the robots could hardly obtain the most optimal global path.A global path planning algorithm,denoted as EDG*,is proposed by expanding nodes using a well-designed expanding disconnected graph operator(EDG)in this paper.Firstly,all obstacles are marked and their corners are located through the map pre-processing.Then,the EDG operator is designed to find points in non-obstruction areas to complete the rapid expansion of disconnected nodes.Finally,the EDG*heuristic iterative algorithm is proposed.It selects the candidate node through a specific valuation function and realizes the node expansion while avoiding collision with a minimum offset.Path planning experiments were conducted in a typical indoor environment and on the public dataset CSM.The result shows that the proposed EDG*reduced the planning time by more than 90%and total length of paths reduced by more than 4.6%.Compared to A*,Dijkstra and JPS,EDG*does not show an exponential explosion effect in map size.The EDG*showed better performance in terms of path smoothness,and collision avoidance.This shows that the EDG*algorithm proposed in this paper can improve the efficiency of path planning and enhance path quality.