Microrobots with their promising applications are attracting a lot of attention currently. A microrobot with a triangular mechanism was previously proposed by scientists to overcome the motion limitations in a low-Reynolds number flow; however, the control of this swimmer for performing desired manoeuvres has not been studied yet. Here, we have proposed some strategies for controlling its position. Considering the constraints on arm lengths, we proposed an optimal controller based on quadratic programming. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed optimal controller can steer the microrobot along the desired trajectory as well as minimize fluctuations of the actuators length.

Conventional unpowered lower limb exoskeleton paid little attention to the metabolic cost of body during sit down (SD)/stand up (SU). The SD motion model and the motion characteristics of lower extremity are analyzed; then, a novel unpowered lower limb exoskeleton is proposed, and the contribution degree of muscles and stiffness of joints are used for determining the location and stiffness of energy storage element. The metabolic cost of relevant muscles in joints of the left leg is obtained based on Opensim software. The results show that metabolic cost of the gracilis, rectus femoris (RF), and long head of the biceps femoris decreased about 13%, 9%, and 68%, respectively. The total metabolic cost of body decreased about 14% during SD. However, the metabolic cost of the gracilis, RF, and long/short head of the biceps femoris increased about 22%, 33%, 208%, and 46%, respectively. And the metabolic cost of sartorius reduces about 39%, the total metabolic cost of body increased about 25.6% during SU, under the exoskeleton conditions. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the optimal design of unpowered lower limb exoskeleton.

This paper presents the design and simulation of a Parallel Kinematic (PK) testbed for head impacts. The proposed design is presented as a novel head impact testbed using a parallel platform as main motion simulation mechanism. The testbed is used to give a motion to a head mannequin to impact against a steel plate. In addition, the platform in the testbed allows to modify the orientation of the head mannequin model to evaluate different types of impacts. The testbed has been modeled with software MS ADAMS® to evaluate its performance with a dynamic simulation and to characterize the testbed design during top and lateral impact events. Results show that PK testbed gives a significant force and acceleration to the head mannequin at the moment of the impact.

This article introduces a robust adaptive controller–observer structure for robotic manipulators such that the need for joints speed measurement is removed. Besides, it is presumed that the system model has uncertainties and is subject to disturbances, and the proposed method must eliminate the impact of these factors on the system response. According to this, for the first time in the robotics field, a model-free scheme is developed based on the Bernstein–Stancu polynomial. The universal approximation property of the Bernstein–Stancu polynomial enables it to accurately estimate the lumped uncertainty, including unmodeled dynamics and disturbances. Moreover, to increase the efficiency of the controller–observer structure, adaptive rules have been proposed to update polynomial coefficients. The boundedness of all system errors is proven using the Lyapunov theorem. Finally, the proposed robust Adaptive controller–observer is applied on a planer robot, and the results are precisely analyzed. The results of the proposed approach are also compared with two state-of-art powerful approximation methods.

In this paper, a new adaptive control strategy, based on the Modified Function Approximation Technique, is proposed for a manipulator robot with unknown dynamics. This novel strategy benefits from the backstepping control approach and the use of state and output feedback. Unlike the conventional Function Approximation Technique approach, the use of basis functions to approximate the dynamic parameters is completely eliminated in the proposed scheme. Another improvement is eliminating the need to measure velocity by means of integrating a high-order sliding mode observer. Furthermore, utilizing the Lyapunov function theory, it is demonstrated that all controller signals are uniformly ultimately bounded in the closed-loop form. Lastly, simulation and comparative studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.

Advances in material science in recent years have had such a tremendous impact on the field of soft robotics that has fostered the development of many bio-inspired devices. One such device, which has been subject to extensive study in recent times, is soft pneumatic-network (pneu-net) actuators (SPAs). In this study, we present a new SPA structure whose chamber configuration mimics the fish bone (herringbone) structure to facilitate simultaneous bending deformations in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Such as cannot be obtained from the regular pneu-net structure – which bends only lengthwise, the coupled bending curvatures allow for gripping with maximized contact area, a property which facilitates firmness, security, and stability in gripping. Using the corresponding chamber inclination angle of the configuration as key parameter, the combined transverse and longitudinal deformation feature is studied through finite element simulation as well as experiments. Also, the functional behavior of the actuator/gripper prototypes is experimentally investigated using a series of approaches including blocked (or tip) force test, grip strength test, and stability (or sustained grasping force) test. Furthermore, the viability of the said conformal gripping characteristic is demonstrated by subjecting the structure to a couple of gripping tests. This utility-enhancing design approach could really guide into the development of more sophisticated application-custom soft robotic capabilities.

This paper presents a modularized autonomous pipeline inspection robot called MRINSPECT VII+, which we recently developed. MRINSPECT VII+ is aimed at inspect in-service urban gas pipelines with a diameter of 200 mm. The robot consists of five basic modules: driving, sensing, joint, and battery modules. For nondestructive testing (NDT), an NDT module can be added to the system. The driving module uses a multiaxial differential gear mechanism to provide traction forces to the robot. The sensor module recognizes the pipeline element using position-sensitive detector (PSD) sensors and a CCD camera. The control module contains a computing unit and manages the robot’s autonomous navigation. The battery module supplies power to the system. Each module is connected via backdrivable active joint modules, which provide flexibility while moving inside narrow pipelines. Additionally, the wireless communication module helps the system communicate with the ground station. We tested MRINSPECT VII+ in real pipeline environments and validated its feasibility successfully.

This article presents an innovative adaptive-observer-based scaled four-channel (4-CH) control approach applying damping injection for nonlinear teleoperation systems, which unify the study of robotic dynamic uncertainties, operator/environment force acquirements and asymmetric time-varying delays in the same framework. First, a scaled 4-CH scheme with damping injection is developed to handle time-varying delay while guaranteeing the passivity of communication channels. Then, the improved extended active observer (IEAOB) is deployed to derive the operator/environment force while addressing the issues of measurement noise and model uncertainties. Furthermore, the system stability is analyzed by choosing Lyapunov functional. Finally, the proposed method is validated through simulation.

This paper aims at shedding lights on two approaches that were recently proposed for the constraint wrench analysis of robotic manipulators. Both approaches benefit from the Newton–Euler equations, screw notations, and constraint transformation matrices (CTM) to cope with the inverse dynamic problem of multibody systems. In the first approach, which is called the joint-based method, the constraint transformation matrices are derived directly from the kinematic constraints which are imposed on the rigid links by kinematic pairs. In the second approach, which is referred to as the link-based method; however, the constraint matrices are obtained based on the wrench transfer formula of each rigid link. In this study, by resorting to the definition of reciprocal screws, the former methodology is further enhanced to a new version as well. Moreover, based on the proposed modified joint-based CTM, constraint forces and moments distribution indices are introduced. The three constraint wrench analysis methodologies, two joint-based and one link-based, result in different CTMs and set of equations as well, which will be discussed in detail. In the end, on two case studies, a spherical four-bar linkage and a Delta parallel robot, the pros and cons of all three constraint wrench analysis methodologies are discussed, and the proposed indices will be examined. The numerical results reveal that, although all three methods identically compute the magnitude of the applied and constraint force and moment vectors, the joint-based approaches do not report the constraint components with respect to a specific coordinate frame. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed indices can approximately predict the constraint forces and moments distribution at joints, which can be used as force transmission indicators in multibody systems.

This research deals with the autonomous landing maneuver of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). It is assumed that the UGV moves independently, and there is no communication and collaboration between the two vehicles. This paper aims at the design of a closed-loop vision-based control system for quadrotor UAV to perform autonomous landing maneuvers in the possible minimum time despite the wind-induced disturbance force. In this way, a fractional-order fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative controller is introduced for the nonlinear under-actuated system of a quadrotor. Also, a feedback linearization term is included in the control law to compensate model nonlinearities. A supervisory control algorithm is proposed as an autonomous landing path generator to perform fast, smooth, and accurate landings. On the other hand, a compound AprilTag fiducial marker is employed as the target of a vision positioning system, enabling high precision relative positioning in the range between 10 and 350 cm height. A software-in-the-loop simulation testbed is realized on the windows platform. Numerical simulations with the proposed control system are carried out, while the quadrotor system is exposed to different disturbance conditions and actuator dynamics with saturated thrust output are considered.

The energetic advantages of series and parallel elastic actuators have been characterized in the literature considering different elastic systems and different tasks. These characterizations usually determine the energy consumption of a specific system during a specific task and generalize poorly. This paper proposes an energetic characterization of elastic actuators, following an analytical approach, rather than a data-driven one. In particular, this work analyzes the energy consumption of elastic actuators during resonant motion and introduces a novel efficiency index. This index characterizes energy consumption as a function of inherent actuator parameters only, generalizing over the specific tasks. The proposed analysis is validated using simulations and experiments, demonstrating its coherence with analytical results.

This article proposes the design and development of a novel custom-built, autonomous scaled multiwheeled vehicle that features an eight-wheel drive and eight-wheel steer system. In addition to the mechanical and electrical design, high-level path planning and low-level vehicle control algorithms are developed and implemented including a two-stage autonomous parking algorithm is developed. A modified position-based visual servoing algorithm is proposed and developed to achieve precise pose correction. The results show significant gains in accuracy and efficiency comparing with an open-source path planner. It is the aim of this work to expand the research of autonomous platforms taking the form of commercial and off-road vehicles using actuated steering and other mechanisms attributed to passenger vehicles. The outcome of this work is a unique autonomous research platform that features independently driven wheels, steering, autonomous navigation, and parking.

A novel grasp optimization algorithm for minimizing the net energy utilized by a five-fingered humanoid robotic hand with twenty degrees of freedom for securing a precise grasp is presented in this study. The algorithm utilizes a compliant contact model with a nonlinear spring and damper system to compute the performance measure, called ‘Grasp Energy’. The measure, subject to constraints, has been minimized to obtain locally optimal cartesian trajectories for securing a grasp. A case study is taken to compare the analytical (applying the optimization algorithm) and the simulated data in MSC.Adams $^{^{\circledR}}$ , to prove the efficacy of the proposed formulation.

This article designs a frog-inspired swimming robot based on pneumatic muscles. The musculoskeletal characteristics of the frog are refined and used as the basis for the design of the robot joint structure and movement mode. The posture adjustment module, joint water seal, and power system are designed to meet the robot’s motion requirements, and the structure optimization design of the robot is completed by combining simulation analysis. The body length of the robot is about 710 mm, and the overall mass is 10 kg. Combining the structural characteristics of the robot, the control system is built to realize the frog-like motion. The robot’s propulsion speed is about 0.6 m/s, the propulsion distance reaches 2.4 m, the turning angle is 30°, and the turning radius is 0.6 m. The prototype experiment verifies the rationality of the frog-inspired swimming robot structure design and the reliability of the control system and water seal.

In this study, several joint axis orientations on equilateral platforms and the limbs of 3-UPU parallel manipulators (PMs) are examined. The generated joint layouts for the platforms were matched with each other to generate and enumerate manipulator architectures based on certain assumptions. The structures of thus obtained manipulators are examined and limb types were determined. These limb types were analyzed using screw theory. The instantaneous mobility of the manipulators and the motion characteristics of the moving platforms are tabulated. The finite mobility analysis of one of the manipulators is performed using a software package as an example. Among several different 3-UPU PM architectures, 118 novel 3-UPU PMs with non-parasitic 3-degrees-of-freedom are significantly important. The classified 3-UPU PMs with determined motion characteristics can be used by researchers as a design alternative for their specific design task.

One alternative to overcome the presence of singularities within Parallel Manipulators’ workspace is kinematic redundancy. This design alternative can be realized by adding an extra active joint to a kinematic chain. Due to this addition, the IKM presents an infinite number of solutions requiring a redundancy resolution scheme. Moreover, Parallel Manipulators’ control may require complex strategies due to their coupled and complex dynamic and kinematic relations. In this work, a model-free, a joint space computed torque, and a hybrid joint-task-space computed torque control strategies are experimentally compared for a kinematically redundant parallel manipulator. The latter is a novel strategy that requires the measurement of the end-effector’s pose, which is performed by an eye-to-hand limited frame rate camera. The impact of up to three kinematic redundancy levels is also experimentally evaluated using prepositioning and ongoing positioning redundancy resolution schemes. The data are assessed by evaluating a prescribed trajectory executed using a planar kinematically redundant parallel manipulator. These results indicate that kinematic redundancy can not only be used as an alternative design for reducing the presence of singular regions, as claimed in the literature, but also be used along with model-based control strategies for improving dynamic performance and accuracy of parallel manipulators.

Thispaper addresses the problem of carrying an unknown nonuniform payload by multiple quadrotor agents. The load is modeled as a rigid body with unknown weight and position of Center of Gravity (CG) for the agents, and is included in their dynamic equations of motion. The agents and the load are assumed to be connected to each other by taut ropes. The Udwadia–Kalaba equation is used to calculate the constraint forces on the ropes acting on each quadrotor. Inner-loop and outer-loop controllers for quadrotors position and attitude control are presented. For the outer loop, an estimation algorithm based on the invariance and immersion adaptive control is utilized to estimate the unknown physical parameters of the payload including mass and CG position without using multi-axes force/torque sensors. The inner-loop controller employs an adaptive controller. Simulation results, for two and four agents carrying a nonuniform rod and cubic payload, show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. A case study is also performed to investigate the effect of quadrotors positioning on flight endurance of the cooperative aerial team carrying a nonuniform payload.

The conventional product of exponentials $\left(\rm POE\right)$ -based methods dissatisfy the parametric minimality for the kinematic calibration of serial robots due to overlooking the magnitude and pitch constraints. Thus, the minimal kinematic model is presented to solve this problem, which can be developed further. This paper puts forward an improved algorithm for the minimal parameter calibration. An actual kinematic model with the minimal parameters $\left(\rm MP\right)$ is constructed according to the geometric properties of actual joint twists in the auxiliary frames established on the basis of the nominal joint axes. Then, the initial pose error is defined in the tool coordinate frame, which is expressed as the exponential map of the twist, and all twist descriptions are unified, so as to give a unified kinematic model in mathematics. By differentiating the kinematic model, a minimal error model is derived in explicit form. Subsequently, we propose a novel parameter identification method, which identifies the orientation error and position error parameters separately by the iterative least-squares method and updates the MP uniformly. Finally, the simulations and experiments on the different serial robots are conducted to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The simulation results show our calibration algorithm outperforms the existing ones in the accuracy aspect, and the experiment result shows that the absolute pose accuracy of the UR5 industrial robot is upgraded about 9 times under a statistics sense after the calibration.

We establish a highly feasible algorithm for time-optimal cornering trajectory planning (TP) for car-like mobile robots (CLMRs) based on a dynamic model that contains actuator dynamics. First, we formulate an accurate dynamic model of a robot that contains DC motor actuators; this includes steering braking (caused by the lateral force of the front steering wheel) and two types of friction (viscous and Coulomb) under a nonslip condition. Our TP algorithm can utilize the full power of the DC motor actuators within proper pulse width modulation bounds and generated torque limits. Then, we establish an algorithm for a time-optimal cornering trajectory planning for CLMRs (TOCTP-CLMR). Our algorithm divides the trajectory into five sections comprising three turnings and two translations to minimize the travel distance. Then, we utilize the quickest rotation when turning to construct the time-optimal trajectory that satisfies the bang-bang principle. In addition, simulations are performed to demonstrate the validity of this method. Finally, we conduct open-loop experiments to validate our dynamic model and a trajectory tracking experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of the TOCTP-CLMR trajectory.

Deploying quadcopters for aerial transportation can be cost effective in impromptu material handling applications. However, such applications are limited mainly due to the requirement of onboard localization sensors and associated computation. The current work presents a human-controlled modality to successfully execute spontaneous outdoor flight of a quadcopter with a cable-suspended payload. Stable and smooth flights are achieved through an onboard integration of a custom-built sensor system and a controller to minimize payload oscillations. The feasibility of the proposed modality is demonstrated by conducting outdoor experiments and a case study in an unstructured environment.