An anthropomorphic biped robot: dynamic concepts and technologicaldesign

The authors of this study are a part of a joint project, involving four French laboratories, whose goal is the design and construction of a mechanical biped robot with anthropomorphic characteristics. In the first section of this paper, we will examine mechanical architectures of some representatives of state-of-the art biped robots by focusing on their kinematic arrangement. It is widely known that the existence of natural gaits is closely linked to the intrinsic dynamic characteristics of the mechanical structure of the biped robot. In order to further develop this idea, two studies will be presented in the second section: the first is relative to the lateral instability of the system while the second deals with the existence of passive pendular gaits during the swing phase of walking in the sagittal plane. In the last section, in correlation with the observations made, we will gain insight into main characteristics of the mechanical architecture that we have designed for the BIP project: 15 active degrees of freedom (DOF), joints actuated by special transmission system, anthropometric mass distribution     

基于ADAMS的双足机器人建模与仿真

为了提高双足机器人的设计效率,可以通过虚拟样机技术对其进行设计与仿真。针对机器人设计双足行走步态,首先以实际的物理样机为原型,建立双足机器人的七连杆模型,并用解析法求得机器人的逆运动学模型;然后在ADAMS软件中建立参数化的虚拟样机模型,在Matlab软件中规划双足机器人在平地上的完整行走步态;最后将规划的步态导入ADAMS中,在虚拟样机上实现了双足机器人的行走仿真。仿真结果与规划的行走步态基本一致,验证了虚拟样机的有效性,从而为双足机器人的设计与步态规划提供了一种新的方法和可靠依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Quasi optimal sagittal gait of a biped robot with a new structure of knee joint

The design of humanoid robots has been a tricky challenge for several years. Due to the kinematic complexity of human joints, their movements are notoriously difficult to be reproduced by a mechanism. The human knees allow movements including rolling and sliding, and therefore the design of new bio-inspired knees is of utmost importance for the reproduction of anthropomorphic walking in the sagittal plane. In this article, the kinematic characteristics of knees were analyzed and a mechanical solution for reproducing them is proposed. The geometrical, kinematic and dynamic models are built together with an impact model for a biped robot with the new knee kinematic. The walking gait is studied as a problem of parametric optimization under constraints. The trajectories of walking are approximated by mathematical functions for a gait composed of single support phases with impacts. Energy criteria allow comparing the robot provided with the new rolling knee mechanism and a robot equipped with revolute knee joints. The results of the optimizations show that the rolling knee brings a decrease of the sthenic criterion. The comparisons of torques are also observed to show the difference of energy distribution between the actuators. For the same actuator selection, these results prove that the robot with rolling knees can walk longer than the robot with revolute joint knees.     

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。     

基于深度强化学习的双足机器人斜坡步态控制方法

为提高准被动双足机器人斜坡步行稳定性, 本文提出了一种基于深度强化学习的准被动双足机器人步态控制方法. 通过分析准被动双足机器人的混合动力学模型与稳定行走过程, 建立了状态空间、动作空间、episode过程与奖励函数. 在利用基于DDPG改进的Ape-X DPG算法持续学习后, 准被动双足机器人能在较大斜坡范围内实现稳定行走. 仿真实验表明, Ape-X DPG无论是学习能力还是收敛速度均优于基于PER的DDPG. 同时, 相较于能量成型控制, 使用Ape-X DPG的准被动双足机器人步态收敛更迅速、步态收敛域更大, 证明Ape-X DPG可有效提高准被动双足机器人的步行稳定性.     

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.     

A Control Approach for Actuated Dynamic Walking in Biped Robots

This paper presents an approach for the closed-loop control of a fully actuated biped robot that leverages its natural dynamics when walking. Rather than prescribing kinematic trajectories, the approach proposes a set of state-dependent torques, each of which can be constructed from a combination of low-gain spring–damper couples. Accordingly, the limb motion is determined by interaction of the passive control elements and the natural dynamics of the biped, rather than being dictated by a reference trajectory. In order to implement the proposed approach, the authors develop a model-based transformation from the control torques that are defined in a mixed reference frame to the actuator joint torques. The proposed approach is implemented in simulation on an anthropomorphic biped. The simulated biped is shown to converge to a stable, natural-looking walk from a variety of initial configurations. Based on these simulations, the mechanical cost of transport is computed and shown to be significantly lower than that of trajectory-tracking approaches to biped control, thus validating the ability of the proposed idea to provide efficient dynamic walking. Simulations further demonstrate walking at varying speeds and on varying ground slopes. Finally, controller robustness is demonstrated with respect to forward and backward push-type disturbances and with respect to uncertainty in model parameters.      

Kinematic Constraints on Fault-Tolerant Gaits for a Locked Joint Failure

Fault-tolerant gaits in legged locomotion are defined as gaits with which legged robots can continue their walking after a failure event has occurred to a leg of the robot. For planning an efficient fault-tolerant gait, kinematic constraints and remaining mobility of the failed leg should be closely examined with each other. This paper addresses the problem of kinematic constraints on fault-tolerant gaits. The considered failure is a locked joint failure which prevents a joint of a leg from moving and makes it locked in a known place. It is shown that for the existence of the conventional fault-tolerant gait for forward walking on even terrain, the configuration of the failed leg must be within a range of kinematic constraints. Then, for coping with failure situations where the existence condition is not satisfied, the conventional fault-tolerant gait is adopted by including the adjustment of the foot trajectory of the failed leg. The foot trajectory adjustment procedure is analytically derived to show that it can help the fault-tolerant gait avoid dead-lock resulting from the kinematic constraint. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the proposed method is applied to the fault-tolerant gait generation for a quadruped robot walking with the wave-crab gait before a locked joint failure.     

Development of a leg part of a humanoid robot-design of a biped walking robot having antagonistic driven joints using a nonlinear spring mechanism

The authors are engaged in studies of biped walking robots from the following two viewpoints. One is a viewpoint as a human science. The other is a viewpoint towards the development of humanoid robots. In the current research concerning a biped walking robot, there is no developed example of a life-size biped walking robot with antagonistically driven joints by which the human musculo-skeletal system is imitated in the lower limbs. Humans are considered to exhibit walking behavior which is both efficient and capable of flexibly coping with contact with the outside environment. However, developed biped walking robots cannot realize human walking. The human joint is driven by two or more antagonistic muscle groups. Humans can vary the joint stiffness, using nonlinear spring characteristics possessed by the muscles themselves. The function is an indispensable function for a humanoid. Therefore, the authors designed and built an anthropomorphic biped walking robot having antagonistic driven joints. In this paper, the authors introduce the design method of the robot. The authors performed walking experiments with the robot. As a result, a quasi-dynamic biped walking using antagonist driven joint was realized. The walking speed was 7.68 s per step with a 0.1 m step length.     

Position-based impedance control of a biped humanoid robot

This paper describes position-based impedance control for biped humanoid robot locomotion. The impedance parameters of the biped leg are adjusted in real-time according to the gait phase. In order to reduce the impact/contact forces generated between the contacting foot and the ground, the damping coefficient of the impedance of the landing foot is increased largely during the first half double support phase. In the last half double support phase, the walking pattern of the leg changed by the impedance control is returned to the desired walking pattern by using a polynomial. Also, the large stiffness of the landing leg is given to increase the momentum reduced by the viscosity of the landing leg in the first half single support phase. For the stability of the biped humanoid robot, a balance control that compensates for moments generated by the biped locomotion is employed during a whole walking cycle. For the confirmation of the impedance and balance control, we have developed a life-sized humanoid robot, WABIAN-RIII, which has 43 mechanical d.o.f. Through dynamic walking experiments, the validity of the proposed controls is verified.     

可侧向摆动的欠驱动双足机器人

为解决机器人的侧向平衡问题,同时为使机器人的行走空间由二维扩展到三维,确立了可以侧向周期稳定偏转的有弹性脚的欠驱动步行机器人模型。根据混合动力系统的特点,建立了侧向摆动方程及脚碰撞地面的方程,并利用数值仿真得到了不同初始状态下的稳定极限环。根据运动状态分析,找到了弹性脚的欠驱动步行机器人所允许的侧向偏转范围。施加基于能量的控制可以消除摆动过程中出现的干扰,使欠驱动步行机器人回归到稳定状态,稳定的侧向摆动保证了欠驱动步行机器人的稳定行走。     

Walking Control Algorithm of Biped Humanoid Robot on Uneven and Inclined Floor

This paper describes walking control algorithm for the stable walking of a biped humanoid robot on an uneven and inclined floor. Many walking control techniques have been developed based on the assumption that the walking surface is perfectly flat with no inclination. Accordingly, most biped humanoid robots have performed dynamic walking on well designed flat floors. In reality, however, a typical room floor that appears to be flat has local and global inclinations of about 2°. It is important to note that even slight unevenness of a floor can cause serious instability in biped walking robots. In this paper, the authors propose an online control algorithm that considers local and global inclinations of the floor by which a biped humanoid robot can adapt to the floor conditions. For walking motions, a suitable walking pattern was designed first. Online controllers were then developed and activated in suitable periods during a walking cycle. The walking control algorithm was successfully tested and proved through walking experiments on an uneven and inclined floor using KHR-2 (KAIST Humanoid robot-2), a test robot platform of our biped humanoid robot, HUBO.     

Comparison of different gaits with rotation of the feet for a planar biped

Fast human walking includes a phase where the stance heel rises from the ground and the stance foot rotates about the stance toe. This phase where the biped becomes under-actuated is not present during the walk of humanoid robots. The objective of this study is to determine if this phase is useful to reduce the energy consumed in the walking. In order to study the efficiency of this phase, six cyclic gaits are presented for a planar biped robot. The simplest cyclic motion is composed of successive single support phases with flat stance foot on the ground. The most complex cyclic motion is composed of single support phases that include a sub-phase of rotation of the stance foot about the toe and of finite time double support phase. For the synthesis of these walking gaits, optimal motions with respect to the torque cost, are defined by taking into account given performances of actuators. It is shown that for fast motions a foot rotation sub-phase is useful to reduce the criteria cost. In the optimization process, under-actuated phase (foot rotation phase), fully-actuated phase (flat foot phase) and over-actuated phase (double support phase) are considered.     

An approach to analyzing biped locomotion dynamics and designing robot locomotion controls

An approach to analyzing biped locomotion problems is presented. This approach applies the principles of Lagrangian dynamics to derive the equations of motion of locomotion gaits, state-variable techniques to analyze locomotion dynamics, and multivariable feedback to design locomotion controls. A robot model which has no knee joints or feet and is constrained to motion in the sagittal plane is chosen as a sufficiently simple model of a biped to illustrate the approach. A goal of the analysis is the design of a locomotion control for the robot which produces a walking gait having a velocity and stride length similar to those of a human walking gait. The principle feature of the approach is a much deeper understanding of the dynamics of biped locomotion than previous approaches have provided.     

基于全身协调的仿人机器人步行稳定控制

提出利用机器人质心（CoM）雅克比矩阵,实现全身协调补偿的算法。提出机器人的简化模型;分析基于CoM雅克比矩阵的补偿算法;采用CoM/ZMP（零点矩点）、减振和软着陆控制器实时控制双足步行,实现机器人全身协调的稳定控制;通过仿人机器人AFU09的双足步行实验证明该控制方法的有效性。     

Development of an artificial muscle linear actuator using ionic polymer–metal composites

We are developing an artificial muscle linear actuator using ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC)—electro-active polymers that bend in response to electric stimuli—and the goal of our study is applying the actuator to robotic applications, especially to a biped walking robot. In this paper, we will describe the structure of the actuator and an empirical model of the actuator which has two inputs and one output, and whose parameters are identified from input-output data. Based on the empirical model, basic experiments and position control of the linear actuator are demonstrated. Then, we consider walking control of a small-sized biped walking robot. In the application we assume that the developed actuators are connected both in series and in parallel to a joint of the walking robot so that the actuators supply enough torque to the robot, and that they are stretched and compressed enough. It is shown throughout simulations that the biped walking robot with the actuators can walk on level ground with a period synchronized with the period of the input signal.     

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.