An Improved Iterated Greedy Algorithm for Solving Rescue Robot Path Planning Problem with Limited Survival Time

Effective path planning is crucial for mobile robots to quickly reach rescue destination and complete rescue tasks in a post-disaster scenario.In this study,we investigated the post-disaster rescue path planning problem and modeled this problem as a variant of the travel salesman problem(TSP)with life-strength constraints.To address this problem,we proposed an improved iterated greedy(IIG)algorithm.First,a push-forward insertion heuristic(PFIH)strategy was employed to generate a high-quality initial solution.Second,a greedy-based insertion strategy was designed and used in the destruction-construction stage to increase the algorithm’s exploration ability.Furthermore,three problem-specific swap operators were developed to improve the algorithm’s exploitation ability.Additionally,an improved simulated annealing(SA)strategy was used as an acceptance criterion to effectively prevent the algorithm from falling into local optima.To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm,the Solomon dataset was extended to generate 27 instances for simulation.Finally,the proposed IIG was compared with five state-of-the-art algorithms.The parameter analysiswas conducted using the design of experiments(DOE)Taguchi method,and the effectiveness analysis of each component has been verified one by one.Simulation results indicate that IIGoutperforms the compared algorithms in terms of the number of rescue survivors and convergence speed,proving the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

A novel explosion-proof walking system: Twin dual-motor drive tracked units for coal mine rescue robots

A new explosion-proof walking system was designed for the coal mine rescue robot(CMRR) by optimizing the mechanical structure and control algorithm. The mechanical structure innovation lies mainly in the dual-motor drive tracked unit used, which showed high dynamic performance compared with the conventional tracked unit. The control algorithm, developed based on decision trees and neural networking, facilitates autonomous switching between "Velocity-driven Mode" and "Torquedriven Mode". To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the control strategy, we built a self-designed test platform and used it to debug the control program; we then made a robot prototype and conducted further experiments on single-step, ramp, and rubble terrains. The results show that the proposed walking system has excellent dynamic performance and the control strategy is very efficient, suggesting that a robot with this type of explosion-proof walking system can be successfully applied in Chinese coal mines.

Development of two rescue robots for disaster relief operations in narrow debris

This paper proposes two novel rescue robots,including a cutter robot and a jack robot,which are aimed to contribute to rescue activities such as to cut through obstacles and to jack up debris in dangerous sites and narrow spaces,where a rescue team can not work or approach.Firstly,a multilinked tracked rescue robot platform composed of connected crawler vehicles is developed,which has high mobility on irregular terrain and ability to move into narrow collapsed structures.Then,the cutter robot and jack robot are designed on the basis of rescue robot platform equipped with a cutter or a jack mechanism and corresponding manipulators in the front segment.The cutter refitted by an angle grinder is able to cut through 10 mm diameter steel bars.The electric jack mechanism designed based on multiple layers screw sleeves structure can lift up 300 kg load from 70 mm to 400 mm.Experimental results validate the capability of the two rescue robots.

DEVELOPMENT OF A SHAPE-SHIFTING MOBILE ROBOT FOR URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE

A portable shape-shifting mobile robot system named as Amoeba Ⅱ（A-Ⅱ） is developed for the urban search and rescue application. It is designed with three degrees of freedom and two tracked drive systems. This robot consists of two modular mobile units and a joint unit. The mobile unit is a tracked mechanism to enforce the propulsion of robot. And the joint unit can transform the robot shape to get high environment adaptation. A-Ⅱ robot can not only adapt to the environment but also change its body shape according to the locus space. It behaves two work states including the linear state （named as I state） and the parallel state （named as Ⅱ state）. With the linear state the robot can climb upstairs and go through narrow space such as the pipe, cave, etc. The parallel state enables the robot with high mobility on rough ground. Also, the joint unit can propel the robot to roll in sidewise direction. Two modular A-Ⅱ robots can be connected through jointing common interfaces on the joint unit to compose a stronger shape-shifting robot, which can transform the body into four wheels-driven vehicle. The experimental results validate the adaptation and mobility of A-Ⅱ robot.

Mobile platform of rocker-type coal mine rescue robot

After a coal mine disaster,especially a gas and coal dust explosion,the space-restricted and unstructured underground terrain and explosive gas require coal mine rescue robots with good obstacle-surmounting performance and explosion-proof capability. For this type of environment,we designed a mobile platform for a rocker-type coal mine rescue robot with four independent drive wheels.The composition and operational principles of the mobile platform are introduced,we discuss the flameproof design of the rocker assembly,as well as the operational principles and mechanical structure of the bevel gear differential and the main parameters are provided.Motion simulation of the differential function and condition of the robot running on virtual,uneven terrain is carried out with ADAMS.The simulation results show that the differential device can maintain the main body of the robot at an average angle between two rockers.The robot model has good operating performance.Experiments on terrain adaptability and surmounting obstacle performance of the robot prototype have been carried out.The results indicate that the prototype has good terrain adaptability and strong obstacle-surmounting performance.

Robot SLAM with Ad hoc wireless network adapted to search and rescue environments

An innovative multi-robot simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM)is proposed based on a mobile Ad hoc local wireless sensor network(Ad-WSN).Multiple followed-robots equipped with the wireless link RS232/485module act as mobile nodes,with various on-board sensors,Tp-link wireless local area network cards,and Tp-link wireless routers.The master robot with embedded industrial PC and a complete robot control system autonomously performs the SLAM task by exchanging information with multiple followed-robots by using this self-organizing mobile wireless network.The PC on the remote console can monitor multi-robot SLAM on-site and provide direct motion control of the robots.This mobile Ad-WSN complements an environment devoid of usual GPS signals for the robots performing SLAM task in search and rescue environments.In post-disaster areas,the network is usually absent or variable and the site scene is cluttered with obstacles.To adapt to such harsh situations,the proposed self-organizing mobile Ad-WSN enables robots to complete the SLAM process while improving the performances of object of interest identification and exploration area coverage.The information of localization and mapping can communicate freely among multiple robots and remote PC control center via this mobile Ad-WSN.Therefore,the autonomous master robot runs SLAM algorithms while exchanging information with multiple followed-robots and with the remote PC control center via this local WSN environment.Simulations and experiments validate the improved performances of the exploration area coverage,object marked,and loop closure,which are adapted to search and rescue post-disaster cluttered environments.

The theoretical research on localization using improved particle filter for mine rescue robot in unknown underground space

The localization for mine rescue robot in unknown space of coal mine emer- gency was researched,basing on the requirement of mine rescue robot localization which enters the scene of the coal mine accident,unknown circumstance,the unstructured, non-Gaussian and nonlinear work-space for robot works.The localization using particle filter was proposed to which is applied in mine rescue robot in unknown under-ground space.Meanwhile,focusing on severe particle sample degeneracy in the primary particle filter,an improved particle filter was proposed to reinforce the stability of particle filter.Be- ing compared with localization using extended Kalman filter through simulation experiment the localization using particle filter is proved to have more locating accuracy in unknown underground space and better computational real-time ability,which solves the pre-local- ization problem of robot underground.

CAN-based Control System Design on Minor-caliber Deep Well Rescue Robot

By introdming a small-caliber deep well rescue robot, a hold-hug pattern rescue mechanism was brought forward. In order to reduce the volmne, the trader-well rescue imclmnism is modularizing designed. At the same tirae, the audio and video systyems, the illumination system and the ventilation system are expatiated. The rescuing robot can rescue the falling person in the deep well, it can save much manateral resources and time. It＇s really an ideal rescue device for the small-caliber fall.

A Wireless Communication Method with Dynamic Adding Nodes for the Underground Search and Rescue Robot

A wireless communication method with dynamic adding nodes for Underground Search and Rescue robot is proposed： fix the address of the controller, add repeater nodes into the net dynamically, and shift the address of the mobile terminal. With this method, the Search and Rescue robot can reach the deeper place of a mine to help rescue and keep in touch with the controller through wireless communication in a single channel, even in a complex laneway where radio wave cannot go through the thick wall. The collision in the process of the two-way multi-hop communication in the single channel will also be resolved by the communication direction priority and response signal mechanism, to enhance the reliability of communication. Finally, a sample is designed and an experiment is conducted to verify the efficiency of the method.

Human Detection by Robotic Urban Search and Rescue Using Image Processing and Neural Networks

This paper proposes a new approach for detecting human survivors in destructed environments using an autonomous robot. The proposed system uses a passive infrared sensor to detect the existence of living humans and a low-cost camera to acquire snapshots of the scene. The images are fed into a feed-forward neural network, trained to detect the existence of a human body or part of it within an obstructed environment. This approach requires a relatively small number of images to be acquired and processed during the rescue operation, which considerably reduces the cost of image processing, data transmission, and power consumption. The results of the conducted experiments demonstrated that this system has the potential to achieve high performance in detecting living humans in obstructed environments relatively quickly and cost-effectively. The detection accuracy ranged between 79% and 91% depending on a number of factors such as the body position, the light intensity, and the relative color matching between the body and the surrounding environment.

变结构井下救援机器人动力学建模与轨迹跟踪控制

针对钻孔救援需求,设计了一种变结构井下救援机器人,该机器人可改变自身构型,通过钻孔进入井下环境。根据机器人结构特点,分析了机器人的转向机制,建立了考虑机器人前轮/履带-土壤间力学作用、描述机器人转向特性的动力学模型;为提高机器人的转向性能,分析了系统的瞬态及稳态响应以及不同结构参数对转向性能的影响,并对机器人结构参数进行了改进;基于机器人动力学模型,设计模型预测控制(Model Predictive Control,MPC)控制器,实现了直线轨迹和圆形轨迹的轨迹跟踪仿真。结果表明,所建动力学模型是有效的,MPC轨迹跟踪控制器能够稳定地跟踪期望轨迹,为机器人的控制奠定了基础。

复杂场景下工程机器人的机械结构分析与设计

依托于RoboMaster机甲大师赛,提出了一种应用于复杂场景下的工程机器人机械结构分析与设计方法,并基于该原则对工程机器人进行了结构设计,使工程机器人可以实现稳定行走、取弹、登岛、救援等功能。工程机器人的行驶系统采用四轮独立悬挂搭配麦克纳姆轮来进行全方向灵活移动,取弹系统采用一组M3508电机进行夹取和补弹,救援系统采用CDJ-10型迷你气缸和曲柄连杆进行拖车救援。

基于改进A^(*)算法的矿用机器人救援路径规划及仿真分析

【目的】煤矿井下灾后现场情况复杂,针对传统A^(*)算法的煤矿机器人救援路径规划存在路径不安全、效率低等问题,结合栅格地图及救援机器人可沿任意方向移动的特点,多方面对传统A^(*)算法进行改进。【方法】首先,引入了机器人尺寸叠加到障碍物的概念,以确保路径的安全性。其次,通过优化启发函数,降低偏离最佳路径节点的扩展数量,减少冗余节点与路径转折,降低了计算复杂度。最后,采用动态调整算法将路径转折角圆弧化,对所得路径平滑处理,提高了路径的可操作性。最终获得路径代价更小、耗时更短、转弯次数更少的优化路径。基于改进的A^(*)算法,利用MATLAB开展了不同尺寸及不同障碍物覆盖率下救援机器人路径规划的仿真模拟试验。【结果】结果表明:相较于传统A^(*)算法,在崎岖环境地图中改进的A^(*)算法使搜索节点降低了26.51%、计算时长减少了80.42%、路径长度缩短了31.85%、转向次数减少了44.44%,提高了路径的搜索效率和平滑程度。【结论】改进的A^(*)算法为复杂工况环境下煤矿机器人的救援工作提供了一定的理论基础。

基于救援机器人的人体关节点检测方法

为了使救援机器人在危楼环境下能够精确地检测人体关节点,以代替救援人员进入危险现场,提出了一种基于救援机器人的人体关节点检测方法。首先,通过Kinect相机获取人体关节点检测数据,采用归一化的方法对关节点数据进行平滑预处理。其次,对预处理数据加入人体关节长度约束和关节旋转角约束,从而生成每个人体关节点空间位置。最后,采用Tsai方法进行手眼标定,得到机械臂和伤员之间的距离。实验结果表明该方法在危楼救援环境下能够准确测量伤员关节点位置,验证了所提出检测方法的有效性。

煤矿机器人技术产业痛点及智能化分级标准

探讨了我国煤矿机器人行业的发展现状、痛点以及未来趋势。在“机器人+”大时代背景下,从机器人企业数量、地域分布、产业园区建设、优势赛道、国家政策等层面阐述了我国机器人产业发展情况,并阐述国内互联网和制造业大厂入局机器人带来的变革与挑战;重点分析了煤矿机器人技术及产业痛点,指出了煤矿机器人实现智能化应具备的3大能力;提出了应加强其供应链、标准体系等方面建设;详细介绍了煤矿机器人L_(0)~L_(5)的分级标准。

基于机器视觉的救援机器人自动避障技术研究

针对矿山救援机器人易受粉尘、光线昏暗等因素影响,导致其自动避障能力下降问题,研究一种基于机器视觉的救援机器人自动避障策略,可以实现在复杂环境下的有效避障。设计一种基于改进非局部均值滤波和多尺度B样条小波变换的机器视觉算法,以获得更高质量图像并精确获得障碍物边缘,确保救援机器人自主识别并避开障碍物。仿真结果表明:该算法相比传统算法在图像降噪和边缘检测上均体现出优越性。

面向溺水救援机器人平稳跟踪的模糊比例微分控制视觉伺服方案

针对溺水救援机器人的平稳跟踪需求,提出一种基于模糊比例微分控制的视觉伺服方案,通过场馆顶部安装的俯视摄像头获取机器人的坐标位置,使用虚拟导航线设计动态行走路径,计算偏移方向、偏移角并制定转弯规则;利用三角隶属度函数制定模糊比例、微分控制规则表,根据2种规则表中的比例、微分系数分别控制机器人的偏移角、距离偏移量及其变化率,实现机器人的跟踪与避障的平稳性调整;机器人采用核相关滤波跟踪算法对溺水人员进行跟踪,在溺水人员位置变化时调整运动方向,依靠实时、稳定的声呐信息设置偏移角,实现避障功能;对所提出的方案在先锋P3DX型机器人上进行实验验证。结果表明:机器人能及时应对目标变化,没有跟错、跟丢现象;在不同工况时的横滚角均小于1°,避障率达到100%,能够快速、稳定、准确地到达目标位置,达到溺水救援机器人的前期应用要求。

世界智能机器人产业发展动态

智能机器人在促进科技创新、推动产业升级、保障国家安全、守护人民健康等方面正发挥着愈加重要的作用,已成为衡量一个国家创新能力和产业竞争力的重要标志。近年来,世界智能机器人产业保持快速增长态势,技术发展日新月异。本文聚焦工业机器人、服务机器人、特种机器人等相关细分领域,围绕产业规模、技术水平、产品和企业经营情况等方面,分析研究产业发展现状和竞争格局。

仿蜥蜴肌腱牵引的矿用搜救机器人眼研究

针对井下环境复杂、巷道狭窄以及目前搜救机器人普遍存在的探测角度小、响应速度慢等问题,模仿蜥蜴眼肌腱牵引的生理结构设计矿用搜救机器人仿生眼。采用STM32单片机和蓝牙通讯技术控制仿生眼的运动,在远程终端上实时显示仿生眼捕捉到的视觉信息。模型仿真及样机测试结果表明,所设计的八自由度矿用搜救机器人仿生眼视觉系统,具备俯仰、偏航、滚动三转动自由度的360°全方位搜寻能力,其角速度能够满足快速性的要求,有效实现了搜救机器人视觉系统视角大、响应快、独立性强等特点,提高了搜寻效率和范围。

基于BP-PID的应急救援机器人步进电机控制算法研究

应急救援机器人的应用能够有效提高应急救援能力,电机作为机器人的核心驱动装置,其控制精度的高低将直接影响机器人性能的优劣。设计BP-PID步进电机控制系统,运用MATLAB/Simulink软件仿真。结果表明,相比于PID控制,BP-PID控制超调量更小、调节时间更短,控制效果更好。