Noncertainty equivalent adaptive control of robot manipulators without velocity measurements

This paper presents a noncertainty equivalent adaptive motion control scheme for robot manipulators in the absence of link velocity measurements. A new output feedback adaptation algorithm, based on the attractive manifold design approach, is developed. A proportional-integral adaptation is selected for the adaptive parameter estimator to strengthen the passivity of the system. In order to relieve velocity measurements, an observer is designed to estimate the velocities. The controller guarantees semiglobal asymptotic motion tracking and velocity estimation, as well as L_∞ and L₂ bounded parameter estimation error. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is verified by simulations for a two-link robot manipulator and a four-bar linkage. The results are further compared with the earlier certainty-equivalent adaptive partial and full state feedback controller to highlight potential closed-loop performance improvements.     

A helical drive in-pipe robot based on compound planetary gearing

The modern society is fuelled by very comprehensive grids of gas and liquid pipelines. In recent years, various in-pipe robots have been developed for inspection and maintenance tasks inside such pipes. In this paper, a novel in-pipe robot is proposed and developed for gas/oil well interventions at thousands of meters downhole. Due to the nature of such intervention, in-pipe robot design must be capable of carrying a very large payload, as large as 2500?N inside a pipe with diameter as small as 54?mm. The proposed design concept is based on a compound planetary gearing system. One of the major novelties of this design is the use of pipe wall as a ring gear for one stage of the compound planetary gear system; the other novelty is the generation of helical angle when the planetary gears are expanded to press on the pipe wall. The proposed concept is compact, efficient, and has never been reported before. In this paper, the helical angle, the velocity, and load capability of the proposed system will be analyzed. The load transportation capability of the proposed robot is also measured based on an experiment. Initial data have shown great potential in carrying large payloads.     

Perception of own and robot engagement in human–robot interactions and their dependence on robotics knowledge

Communication between socially assistive robots and humans might be facilitated by intuitively understandable mechanisms. To investigate the effects of some key nonverbal gestures on a human’s own engagement and robot engagement experienced by humans, participants read a series of instructions to a robot that responded with nods, blinks, changes in gaze direction, or a combination of these. Unbeknown to the participants, the robot had no form of speech processing or gesture recognition, but simply measured speech volume levels, responding with gestures whenever a lull in sound was detected. As measured by visual analogue scales, engagement of participants was not differentially affected by the different responses of the robot. However, their perception of the robot’s engagement in the task, its likability and its understanding of the instructions depended on the gesture presented, with nodding being the most effective response. Participants who self-reported greater robotics knowledge reported higher overall engagement and greater success at developing a relationship with the robot. However, self-reported robotics knowledge did not differentially affect the impact of robot gestures. This suggests that greater familiarity with robotics may help to maximise positive experiences for humans involved in human–robot interactions without affecting the impact of the type of signal sent by the robot.     

基于通用即插即用的服务监控机器人在智能家居中的应用

针对智能家居系统中多种异构电子设备难以与其他设备集成的问题,采用一种通用即插即用(UPnP)方式将服务机器人集成到智能家居系统中,着重介绍了集成后衍生的新服务.首先系统地介绍了UPnP标准和服务机器人Rovio;然后开发一个PC应用程序作为服务机器人和家庭智能网络之间连接的虚拟桥,形成服务机器人为智能家居网络提供服务的控制回路.最后通过一些实际操作来验证UPnP Rovio虚拟桥的性能,旨在探索服务机器人集成到智能家居的可能性和一些衍生的先进服务.通过路径跟踪、垃圾检测等一些先进服务的实际演示验证了通过UPnP方式将服务机器人集成到智能家居网络中的可行性,并展示了智能家居互通后的巨大潜在利益.     

基于机器人三维模拟仿真的焊接生产线柔性主拼技术研究

为满足生产线柔性设计需求, 对柔性焊接生产线解决方案的难点进行了分析, 提出了基于机器人三维模拟仿真的生产线柔性主拼技术方案, 建立了机器人负载边界模型和基于负载边界模型的机器人选型及快换装置选型方案, 提出了网格式夹具设计方法, 以白车身柔性焊装生产线为例, 建立了面向柔性的网格式夹具设计方案以及网格式装配检测及应力分析, 并对面向柔性主拼中的离线编程技术及三维仿真中的项目权限管理和工作站模拟仿真工作流程进行了分析。该方案在某汽车厂NL-1&NL-2两个车型项目生产线的设计中应用焊接生产线上进行了应用验证, 能满足两车型生产线柔性主拼的需求。     

基于有限元方法的3-PPSR大长径比柔性并联机器人刚度模型分析

为实现较大工作空间的运动,设计了一种大长径比的3-PPSR结构的微操作柔性并联机器人.该机器人由压电马达驱动,采用大长径比柔性铰链连接,柔性铰链的变形范围在毫米级,适用于要求大变形的场合,同时具有结构简单、无奇异、无间隙、运动精度高等特点.由于系统的刚度直接影响系统的运动精度、承载负荷等性能,针对大长径比柔性铰链特点,运用有限元方法,建立了柔性铰链的数学模型,并采用整体刚度的方法,结合机构协调方程和力平衡方程,得到系统的柔性刚度模型.最后,采用ANSYS比较了所建理论刚度模型结果与有限元模型分析的结果.分析结果表明,理论刚度模型合理,符合机构的运动特征.     

基于似人特性的拟人臂机器人自主抓取动作规划

针对拟人臂机器人在家庭环境中的自主抓取任务,提出了一种强调运动姿态似人特性的拟人臂动作的规划方法.该方法分为两个部分,构型规划和运动规划,构型规划基于人体工程学中广泛使用的快速上肢评估准则评价机器人运动姿态的似人特性,并在此基础上以机器人末端传速速率最优为目标规划机器人运动过程中的关键构型.运动规划结合了Fitts定律和似人运动模型规划了机器人末端的空间轨迹.本文最后以Motoman SDA10D拟人双臂机器人和Mitsubishi PA10机器人为例,具体介绍了该方法的应用和规划的结果,规划结果证明了本方法的可行性和有效性.     

施釉机器人静力学分析的研究

根据6自由度施釉机器人的终端受力，利用雅可比矩阵，求解出各转动关节在稳定平衡状态下的受力和所需的驱动力矩，为设计施釉机器人确定各转轴的电机及其他动力元件提供了可靠的依据。     

How social distance shapes human–robot interaction

This paper investigates how social distance can serve as a lens through which we can understand human–robot relationships and develop guidelines for robot design. In two studies, we examine the effects of distance based on physical proximity (proxemic distance), organizational status (power distance), and task structure (task distance) on people׳s experiences with and perceptions of a humanlike robot. In Study 1, participants (n=32) played a card-matching game with a humanlike robot. We manipulated the power distance (supervisor vs. subordinate) and proxemic distance (close vs. distant) between participants and the robot. Participants who interacted with the supervisor robot reported a more positive user experience when the robot was close than when the robot was distant, while interactions with the subordinate robot resulted in a more positive experience when the robot was distant than when the robot was close. In Study 2, participants (n=32) played the game in two different task distances (cooperation vs. competition) and proxemic distances (close vs. distant). Participants who cooperated with the robot reported a more positive experience when the robot was distant than when it was close. In contrast, competing with the robot resulted in a more positive experience when it was close than when the robot was distant. The findings from the two studies highlight the importance of consistency between the status and proxemic behaviors of the robot and of task interdependency in fostering cooperation between the robot and its users. This work also demonstrates how social distance may guide efforts toward a better understanding of human–robot interaction and the development of effective design guidelines.     

基于R语言的机器人教育微博可视化研究

本文利用R语言对关注度不高、转发量不太大的机器人教育微博进行了可视化研究。在分析技术实现过程的同时,我们得出结论是:机器人教育的舆情由教育官方媒体和企业培训机构主导;经济力量决定着参与讨论的程度;微博不是学习内容交流的主阵地。