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.     

Underactuated miniature bending joint composed of serial pulleyless rolling joints

This paper proposes a miniature bending joint composed of serial rolling joints; it refers to the classification of small joints of other products and studies on surgical applications according to the structures and transmissions. To achieve this, a pulleyless rolling joint is introduced as a unit component and the basic design principle is established for the joint. A simple mechanism guarantees a smooth rolling contact using elastic fixtures. Underactuation, which prevents S-shaped curvature similar to buckling, is applied to drive the bending joint with a limited number of wire cables. Using a 1-DOF real-sized prototype, experiments were performed to measure the motion accuracy and payload capacity from various angles to evaluate the efficacy of an improved design that enhances the payload on the distal end. This novel joint is applicable to a wider variety of surgical tools and catheters relative to other candidates owing to its small constant curvature, reasonable payload capacity, and miniature size.     

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。     

结构光视觉引导的焊接机器人系统自标定技术

为实现结构光视觉引导的焊接机器人系统的标定,解决现有标定方法复杂,标定靶标制作要求高等缺点,提出一种基于主动视觉的自标定方法。该标定方法对场景中3个特征点取像,通过精确控制焊接机器人进行5次平移运动,标定摄像机内参数和手眼矩阵旋转部分;通过进行2次带旋转运动,结合激光条在特征点平面的参数方程,标定手眼矩阵平移部分和结构光平面在摄像机坐标系下的平面方程;并针对不同焊枪长度进行修正。在以Denso机器人为主体构建的结构光视觉引导的焊接机器人系统上的测试结果稳定,定位精度可达到±0.93 mm。该标定方法简单,特征选取容易,对焊接机器人系统在实际工业现场的使用有重要意义。     

移动机器人虚拟仿真平台的设计和实现

针对目前国内外对环境检测移动机器人的迫切需求,以3ds Max 2012、OpenGL图形库为基础,用VC++2010作为开发环境,实现了移动机器人在场景中的自动避障、漫游、与用户操控下的互动。实验结果表明:搭建的仿真平台生动形象,运行效果良好,为进一步研究移动机器人控制算法和路径规划创造了条件。     

基于LabWindows/CVI的排水管道机器人测控系统设计

介绍了国内排水管道现状及检测与维护情况,针对排水管道机器人特殊的作业环境,设计了一种基于LabWindows/CVI的排水管道机器人测控系统。该系统以PLC为核心,采用电涡流位移传感器与摄像头结合检测管道缺陷,引入模糊控制算法,增强了系统的鲁棒性和可靠性。通过基于LabWindows/CVI虚拟仪器设计的上位机软件与下位机PLC实时通信,实现了系统对机器人动作的控制,以及数据的采集、处理、存储、显示等功能。整个系统人机交互简单、抗干扰性强、可靠性好,可满足机器人作业时的清理和检测要求。     

基于ARM9与Linux智能搬运分拣机器人的设计与实现

给出了嵌入式ARM-Linux平台环境下的智能搬运分拣机器人的设计方案。其硬件平台是以ARM9架构处理器S3C2440A作为系统控制核心,并根据硬件资源对kernel、根文件系统以及应用程序进行了修订和编译,为机器人构建了Linux系统软件平台。同时还采用了一种改进型SIFT算法进行货物识别。凭借着强大硬件性能、开放的软件系统以及高效的匹配算法,使本机器人动作稳定性好、拓展性强以及识别精准度高等特点,能够工作在多种作业环境下。