Biped robots: Correlations between technological design and dynamic behavior

The authors of the paper have collaborated in a joint project involving four French control, mechanics and computer-science laboratories. In the paper, various mechanical architectures of biped robots are examined in detail, showing that their walking capabilities are closely linked to the kinematic characteristics of the mechanical structure. Then, it is shown that the geometrical and inertial parameters of the mechanical systems strongly affect the gait. In particular, the influence of the biped inertia on the lateral stability of the system, as well as the conditions of the existence of passive pendular gaits during the swing phase, are computationally analyzed. Extending the ideas previously developed, some characteristics of the mechanical architecture and design of the BIP project can be clearly justified. It turns out that a kinematic structure with 15 degrees of freedom is necessary in order for the biped robot to develop anthropomorphic gaits. Furthermore, as an anthropometric mass distribution can improve the walking abilities of the robot, special transmitters have been designed in order to help to fulfil this requirement.     

双足机器人自适应常值驱动与传感反馈结合的仿生行走控制

为了将双足机器人的混沌步态控制收敛到稳定的周期步态,提出一种控制策略。首先用庞卡莱截面法研究斜坡倾角变化对步态的影响,结果表明,坡度增大会导致倍周期步态到混沌步态的产生;然后以人类步行的生物力学为仿生依据,根据延迟反馈控制的基本思路,设计了自适应常值驱动与传感反馈相结合的仿生行走控制策略,并依据当前步和前两步初始状态对控制器参数进行逐步调节,最终将混沌步态控制收敛到周期步态。仿真结果表明了所提出算法的有效性。     

双手爪式仿生攀爬机器人的摇杆控制

探讨一种新型双手爪式5自由度仿生攀爬机器人(Climbot)的摇杆控制方法.首先,对机器人的运动学和可夹持空间问题进行了分析.然后,针对其双手爪交替夹持攀爬的特点,提出了直观的摇杆操作模式,包括对不同的攀爬步态设计了不同的操作坐标系,并利用建立变换矩阵的方法将交替夹持端前后的机器人描述在同一坐标系中.最后,通过尺蠖、扭转和翻转3种步态的路灯杆攀爬和应用示范实验结果证明了该摇杆控制方法的有效性.     

Soft computing-based gait planners for a dynamically balanced biped robot negotiating sloping surfaces

Dynamically balanced gait generation problems of a biped robot moving up and down the sloping surface have been solved utilizing soft computing-based approaches. The gait generation problem of a biped robot is difficult to model due to its inherent complexity, imprecision in the collected data of the environment, which are the characteristics that can be the best modeled using soft computing. Two different approaches, namely genetic-neural (GA-NN) and genetic-fuzzy (GA-FLC) systems have been developed to solve the ascending and descending gait generation problems of a two-legged robot negotiating the sloping surface. Two modules of neural network (NN)/fuzzy logic controller (FLC) have been used to model the gait generation problem of a biped robot using the GA-NN/GA-FLC system. The weights of the NNs in the GA-NN and knowledge bases of the FLCs in the GA-FLC systems are optimized offline, utilizing a genetic algorithm (GA). Once the GA-NN/GA-FLC system is optimized, it will be able to generate the dynamically balanced gaits of the two-legged robot in the optimal sense.     

Dynamically balanced optimal gaits of a ditch-crossing biped robot

This paper deals with the generation of dynamically balanced gaits of a ditch-crossing biped robot having seven degrees of freedom (DOFs). Three different approaches, namely analytical, neural network (NN)-based and fuzzy logic (FL)-based, have been developed to solve the said problem. The former deals with the analytical modeling of the ditch-crossing gait of a biped robot, whereas the latter two approaches aim to maximize the dynamic balance margin of the robot and minimize the power consumption during locomotion, after satisfying a constraint stating that the changes of joint torques should lie within a pre-specified value to ensure its smooth walking. It is to be noted that the power consumption and dynamic balance of the robot are also dependent on the position of the masses on various links and the trajectory followed by the hip joint. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to provide training off-line, to the NN-based and FL-based gait planners developed. Once optimized, the planners will be able to generate the optimal gaits on-line. Both the NN-based and FL-based gait planners are able to generate more balanced gaits and that, too, at the cost of lower power consumption compared to those yielded by the analytical approach. The NN-based and FL-based approaches are found to be more adaptive compared to the other approach in generating the gaits of the biped robot.     

Adaptive Robot Biped Locomotion with Dynamic Motion Primitives and Coupled Phase Oscillators

In order to properly function in real-world environments, the gait of a humanoid robot must be able to adapt to new situations as well as to deal with unexpected perturbations. A promising research direction is the modular generation of movements that results from the combination of a set of basic primitives. In this paper, we present a robot control framework that provides adaptive biped locomotion by combining the modulation of dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) with rhythm and phase coordination. The first objective is to explore the use of rhythmic movement primitives for generating biped locomotion from human demonstrations. The second objective is to evaluate how the proposed framework can be used to generalize and adapt the human demonstrations by adjusting a few open control parameters of the learned model. This paper contributes with a particular view into the problem of adaptive locomotion by addressing three aspects that, in the specific context of biped robots, have not received much attention. First, the demonstrations examples are extracted from human gaits in which the human stance foot will be constrained to remain in flat contact with the ground, forcing the “bent-knee” at all times in contrast with the typical straight-legged style. Second, this paper addresses the important concept of generalization from a single demonstration. Third, a clear departure is assumed from the classical control that forces the robot’s motion to follow a predefined fixed timing into a more event-based controller. The applicability of the proposed control architecture is demonstrated by numerical simulations, focusing on the adaptation of the robot’s gait pattern to irregularities on the ground surface, stepping over obstacles and, at the same time, on the tolerance to external disturbances.     

Near Optimal PID Controllers for the Biped Robot While Walking on Uneven Terrains

The execution of the gaits generated with the help of a gait planner is a crucial task in biped locomotion. This task is to be achieved with the help of a suitable torque based controller to ensure smooth walk of the biped robot. It is important to note that the success of the developed proportion integration differentiation (PID) controller depends on the selected gains of the controller. In the present study, an attempt is made to tune the gains of the PID controller for the biped robot ascending and descending the stair case and sloping surface with the help of two non-traditional optimization algorithms, namely modified chaotic invasive weed optimization (MCIWO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. Once the optimal PID controllers are developed, a simulation study has been conducted in computer for obtaining the optimal tuning parameters of the controller of the biped robot. Finally, the optimal gait angles obtained by using the best controller are fed to the real biped robot and found that the biped robot has successfully negotiated the said terrains.     

Doping effects on robotic systems with ionic polymer–metal composite actuators

Ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) materials are one of the most promising electro-active polymer actuators for applications, and have good properties of response and durability. The characteristics of IPMC materials depend on the type of counter-ion. When applied to mechanical systems such as a robot, there exist possibilities to change the properties of the system dynamics by changing the counter-ions and system parameters according to the environment or purpose. We focus on this 'doping effect' property of the system and will verify the effect on robotic applications. In this paper, we consider dynamic walking of a small-sized biped robot and swimming motion of a snake-like robot, and demonstrate the doping effects by numerical simulations and experiments.     

Planar Bipedal Jumping Gaits With Stable Landing

In this paper, landing stability of jumping gaits is studied for a four-link planar biped model. Rotation of the foot during the landing phase leads to underactuation due to the passive degree of freedom at the toe, which results in nontrivial zero dynamics (ZD). Compliance between the foot and ground is modeled as a spring-damper system. Rotation of the foot along with the compliance model introduces switching in the ZD. The stability conditions for the ldquoswitching ZD rdquo and closed-loop dynamics (CLD) are established. ldquoCritical potential index rdquo and ldquocritical kinetic indexrdquo are introduced as measures of the stability of the CLD of the biped during landing. Landing stability is achieved by utilizing the stability conditions. Stable jumping motion is experimentally realized on a biped robot.     

A reflexive neural network for dynamic biped walking control

Biped walking remains a difficult problem, and robot models can greatly facilitate our understanding of the underlying biomechanical principles as well as their neuronal control. The goal of this study is to specifically demonstrate that stable biped walking can be achieved by combining the physical properties of the walking robot with a small, reflex-based neuronal network governed mainly by local sensor signals. Building on earlier work (Taga, 1995; Cruse, Kindermann, Schumm, Dean, & Schmitz, 1998), this study shows that human-like gaits emerge without specific position or trajectory control and that the walker is able to compensate small disturbances through its own dynamical properties. The reflexive controller used here has the following characteristics, which are different from earlier approaches: (1) Control is mainly local. Hence, it uses only two signals (anterior extreme angle and ground contact), which operate at the interjoint level. All other signals operate only at single joints. (2) Neither position control nor trajectory tracking control is used. Instead, the approximate nature of the local reflexes on each joint allows the robot mechanics itself (e.g., its passive dynamics) to contribute substantially to the overall gait trajectory computation. (3) The motor control scheme used in the local reflexes of our robot is more straightforward and has more biological plausibility than that of other robots, because the outputs of the motor neurons in our reflexive controller are directly driving the motors of the joints rather than working as references for position or velocity control. As a consequence, the neural controller and the robot mechanics are closely coupled as a neuromechanical system, and this study emphasizes that dynamically stable biped walking gaits emerge from the coupling between neural computation and physical computation. This is demonstrated by different walking experiments using a real robot as well as by a Poincaré map analysis applied on a model of the robot in order to assess its stability.     

Fuzzy neural network approaches for robotic gait synthesis

In this paper, a learning scheme using a fuzzy controller to generate walking gaits is developed. The learning scheme uses a fuzzy controller combined with a linearized inverse biped model. The controller provides the control signals at each control time instant. The algorithm used to train the controller is "backpropagation through time". The linearized inverse biped model provides the error signals for backpropagation through the controller at control time instants. Given prespecified constraints such as the step length, crossing clearance, and walking speed, the control scheme can generate the gait that satisfies these constraints. Simulation results are reported for a five-link biped robot.     

基于Fuzzy–CPG的双足机器人适应性行走控制

为提高双足机器人的环境适应性, 本文提出了一种基于模糊控制与中枢模式发生器(CPG)的混合控制策 略, 称之为Fuzzy–CPG算法. 高层控制中枢串联模糊控制系统, 将环境反馈信息映射为行走步态信息和CPG幅值参 数. 低层控制中枢CPG根据高层输出命令产生节律性信号, 作为机器人的关节控制信号. 通过机器人运动, 获取环境 信息并反馈给高层控制中枢, 产生下一步的运动命令. 在坡度和凹凸程度可变的仿真环境中进行混合控制策略的 实验验证, 结果表明, 本文提出的Fuzzy–CPG控制方法可以使机器人根据环境的变化产生适应的行走步态, 提高了 双足机器人的环境适应性行走能力.     

Sensor system of a small biped entertainment robot

SDR-4X II is the latest prototype model of a small biped entertainment robot. It is the improved model of SDR-4X. In this paper we report on the sensing system of this robot, which is important and essential for a small biped entertainment robot which will be used in the home environment. One technology is the design of the motion sensing system, i.e. the inclination sensor system and the force sensor system which obtains the inclination of the trunk and the foot with force. Another technology is the real-world sensing system. One aspect is the touch sensing system. The robot is used in a normal home environment, so we should strongly consider the safety aspects for human. Another is the vision sensor system. The configuration and the distance image acquisition are explained. Next is the audio sensor system which obtains the sound and the voice information. The hardware system and the direction recognition are explained. These sensing systems are the key to making the biped robot walking and dynamic motion highly stable, and understanding the real-world around the robot.     

Demonstration and Analysis of Quadrupedal Passive Dynamic Walking

Animals, including human beings, can travel in a variety of environments adaptively. Legged locomotion makes this possible. However, legged locomotion is temporarily unstable and finding out the principle of walking is an important matter for optimum locomotion strategy or engineering applications. As one of the challenges, passive dynamic walking has been studied on this. Passive dynamic walking is a walking phenomenon in which a biped walking robot with no actuator walks down a gentle slope. The gait is very smooth (like a human) and much research has been conducted on this. Passive dynamic walking is mainly about bipedalism. Considering that there are more quadruped animals than bipeds and a four-legged robot is easier to control than a two-legged robot, quadrupedal passive dynamic walking must exist. Based on the above, we studied saggital plane quadrupedal passive dynamic walking simulation. However, it was not enough to attribute the result to the existence of quadrupedal passive dynamic walking. In this research, quadrupedal passive dynamic walking is experimentally demonstrated by the four-legged walking robot 'Quartet 4'. Furthermore, changing the type of body joint, slope angle, leg length and variety of gaits (characteristics in four-legged animals) was observed passively. Experimental data could not have enough walking time and could not change parameters continuously. Then, each gait was analyzed quantitatively by the experiment and three-dimensional simulation.     

人体步态相位检测实验研究

人体步态分析系统对于两足机器人、康复训练机器人、人工假肢等技术的发展具有重要意义,在线的步态相位识别检测系统更为重要。基于dSPACE构建了人体步态相位检测系统,传感器采用鞋底传感器和1个光纤传感器,鞋底传感器由4只电阻式力传感器、1只位置传感器构成,用光纤传感器测量腿部的弯曲。它可以识别步行周期的5个重要状态和4个不规则状态。系统的可靠性好,能够自动识别第一个步态相位,并具有自校正功能。     

脉冲推力作用下半被动双足机器人的行走动力学分析

为了提高半被动双足机器人在水平地面上行走的稳定性,研究一种脉冲推力作用下半被动双足机器人的行走动力学行为.以最简单的特殊行走模型为动力学模型,采用支撑腿脚后跟脉冲推力作为双足机器人行走动力源.鉴于系统模型的高度非线性,将连续阶段的非线性微分方程线性化;利用角动量守恒和脉冲推力构造一个二维离散映射;采用离散映射的不动点及其特征值分析系统周期步态的存在性和稳定性;接着讨论系统的倍周期分岔.在理论分析的基础上,通过Matlab软件对半被动双足机器人的行走动力学进行仿真实验. 仿真结果表明,在水平地面上行走的半被动双足机器人具有稳定的周期-1步态和周期-2步态.     

Autonomous evolution of dynamic gaits with two quadruped robots

A challenging task that must be accomplished for every legged robot is creating the walking and running behaviors needed for it to move. In this paper we describe our system for autonomously evolving dynamic gaits on two of Sony's quadruped robots. Our evolutionary algorithm runs on board the robot and uses the robot's sensors to compute the quality of a gait without assistance from the experimenter. First, we show the evolution of a pace and trot gait on the OPEN-R prototype robot. With the fastest gait, the robot moves at over 10 m/min, which is more than forty body-lengths/min. While these first gaits are somewhat sensitive to the robot and environment in which they are evolved, we then show the evolution of robust dynamic gaits, one of which is used on the ERS-110, the first consumer version of AIBO.     

Analyses of biped walking posture by dynamical-evaluating index

In this paper, biped walking posture and design are evaluated through dynamic reconfiguration manipulability shape index (DRMSI). DRMSI is the concept derived from dynamic manipulability and reconfiguration manipulability with remaining redundancy. DRMSI represents the ability of dynamical system of manipulators possessing shape changing acceleration in task space by normalized torque inputs, while the hand motion is assigned as the primary task. Besides, we use visual lifting approach to stabilize the walking and stop falling down. In this research, the primary task is to make the position of the head direct to the desired one as much as possible. And realizing the biped walking is the second task. This research indicates that proposed dynamical-evaluating index is effective in evaluating the biped walking motion and biped humanoid robot has the adjustable configuration to walk with higher flexibility. Flexibility represents the dynamical shape changeability of humanoid robot based on redundancy of the humanoid robot with the premise of the primary task given to keeping the head position high.     

Bionic Quadruped Robot Dynamic Gait Control Strategy Based on Twenty Degrees of Freedom

Quadruped robot dynamic gaits have much more advantages than static gaits on speed and efficiency, however high speed and efficiency calls for more complex mechanical structure and complicated control algorithm. It becomes even more challenging when the robot has more degrees of freedom. As a result, most of the present researches focused on simple robot, while the researches on dynamic gaits for complex robot with more degrees of freedom are relatively limited. The paper is focusing on the dynamic gaits control for complex robot with twenty degrees of freedom for the first time. Firstly, we build a relatively complete 3D model for quadruped robot based on spring loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model, analyze the inverse kinematics of the model, plan the trajectory of the swing foot and analyze the hydraulic drive. Secondly, we promote the control algorithm of one-legged to the quadruped robot based on the virtual leg and plan the state variables of pace gait and bound gait. Lastly, we realize the above two kinds of dynamic gaits in ADAMS-MATLAB joint simulation platform which testify the validity of above method.      

Stability analysis and time-varying walking control for an under-actuated planar biped robot

This paper presents two walking controllers for a planar biped robot with unactuated point feet. The control is based on the tracking of reference motions expressed as a function of time. First, the reference motions are adapted at each step in order to create a hybrid zero dynamic (HZD) system. Next, the stability of the walking gait under closed-loop control is evaluated with the linearization of the restricted Poincaré map of the HZD. When the controlled outputs are selected to be the actuated coordinates, most periodic walking gaits for this robot are unstable, that is, the eigenvalues of the linearized Poincaré map (ELPM) is larger than one. Therefore, two control strategies are explored to produce stable walking. The first strategy uses an event-based feedback controller to modify the ELPM and the second one is based on the choice of controlled outputs. The stability analysis show that, for the same robot and for the same reference trajectory, the stability of the walking (or ELPM) can be modified by some pertinent choices of controlled outputs. Moreover, by studying some walking characteristics of many stable cases, a necessary condition for stable walking is proposed. It is that the height of swing foot is nearly zero at the desired moment of impact. Based on this condition, the duration of the step is almost constant in presence of initial error, so a method for choosing controlled outputs for the second controller is given. By using this method, two stable domains for the controlled outputs selection are obtained.