Design of a Biped Robot With Torsion Springs at the Joints for Reduced Energy Consumption During Walk

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Pratap Singh ◽  
Ashish Dutta ◽  
Anupam Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Reduction Of Energy Consumption ◽  
Torsion Springs ◽  
Spring Constants

Biped robots have multiple degrees of freedom for walking and hence they consume a lot of energy. In this paper it is proposed that adding torsion springs at the joints of an 8 DOF biped will lead to reduced energy consumption during walk. First the dynamic equations of motion of the biped robot are obtained incorporating the torsion springs at the joints. Using the dynamic model the total energy consumed during walk was evaluated for a single step. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) based algorithm was developed for finding the energy optimal trajectory during gait by comparing all the possible trajectories. It is first proved that addition of torsion springs at the joints lead to reduction of energy consumption as compared to a biped with no springs. All the gait parameters were then optimized to get the optimum values for the spring constants at each joint, reference angle of springs and length of each step. It is proved that using these optimal parameters the proposed biped robot consumes the least energy.

scholarly journals Effects of Torso Pitch Motion on Energy Efficiency of Biped Robot Walking

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2342
Author(s):  
Long Li ◽  
Zhongqu Xie ◽  
Xiang Luo ◽  
Juanjuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Pattern Generation ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Pitch Motion ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Support Phase

Gait pattern generation has an important influence on the walking quality of biped robots. In most gait pattern generation methods, it is usually assumed that the torso keeps vertical during walking. It is very intuitive and simple. However, it may not be the most efficient. In this paper, we propose a gait pattern with torso pitch motion (TPM) during walking. We also present a gait pattern with torso keeping vertical (TKV) to study the effects of TPM on energy efficiency of biped robots. We define the cyclic gait of a five-link biped robot with several gait parameters. The gait parameters are determined by optimization. The optimization criterion is chosen to minimize the energy consumption per unit distance of the biped robot. Under this criterion, the optimal gait performances of TPM and TKV are compared over different step lengths and different gait periods. It is observed that (1) TPM saves more than 12% energy on average compared with TKV, and the main factor of energy-saving in TPM is the reduction of energy consumption of the swing knee in the double support phase and (2) the overall trend of torso motion is leaning forward in double support phase and leaning backward in single support phase, and the amplitude of the torso pitch motion increases as gait period or step length increases.

Torso pitch motion effects on walking gait for biped robots

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Long Li ◽  
Zhongqu Xie ◽  
Xiang Luo ◽  
Juanjuan Li ◽  
Yufeng He
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Optimization Criterion ◽  
Pattern Generation ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Unit Distance ◽  
Pitch Motion ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Gait Parameters

Gait pattern generation has an important influence on the walking quality of biped robots. In most gait pattern generation method, it is usually assumed that the torso remains vertial during walking. It is very intuitive and simple. However, is the gait pattern of keeping the torso vertical the most efficient? This paper presents a gait pattern in which the torso has pitch motion during walking. We define the cyclic gait of a seven-link biped robot with multiple gait parameters. The gait parameters are determined by optimization. The optimization criterion is choosen to minimize the energy consumption per unit distance of the biped robot. In order to compare the energy consumption of the proposed gait pattern with the one of torso vertical gait pattern, we generate two sets of optimal gait with various walking step lengths and walking periods. The results show that the proposed gait pattern is more energy-efficiency than the torso vertical gait pattern.

scholarly journals Comparative stable walking gait optimization for small-sized biped robot using meta-heuristic optimization algorithms

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-424
Author(s):  
Tran Thien Huan ◽  
Ho Pham Huy Anh
Keyword(s):  
Humanoid Robot ◽  
Differential Evolution Algorithm ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Lift Height ◽  
Evolution Algorithm ◽  
Gait Optimization

This paper proposes a new way to optimize the biped walking gait design for biped robots that permits stable and robust stepping with pre-set foot lifting magnitude. The new meta-heuristic CFO-Central Force Optimization algorithm is initiatively applied to optimize the biped gait parameters as to ensure to keep biped robot walking robustly and steadily. The efficiency of the proposed method is compared with the GA-Genetic Algorithm, PSO-Particle Swarm Optimization and Modified Differential Evolution algorithm (MDE). The simulated and experimental results carried on the prototype small-sized humanoid robot demonstrate that the novel meta-heuristic CFO algorithm offers an efficient and stable walking gait for biped robots with respect to a pre-set of foot-lift height value.

scholarly journals Constrained Quadratic Programming and Neurodynamics-Based Solver for Energy Optimization of Biped Walking Robots

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liyang Wang ◽  
Ming Chen ◽  
Xiangkui Jiang ◽  
Wei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Quadratic Programming ◽  
Energy Optimization ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Walking Robots ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Biped Walking ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Force Moment

The application of biped robots is always trapped by their high energy consumption. This paper makes a contribution by optimizing the joint torques to decrease the energy consumption without changing the biped gaits. In this work, a constrained quadratic programming (QP) problem for energy optimization is formulated. A neurodynamics-based solver is presented to solve the QP problem. Differing from the existing literatures, the proposed neurodynamics-based energy optimization (NEO) strategy minimizes the energy consumption and guarantees the following three important constraints simultaneously: (i) the force-moment equilibrium equation of biped robots, (ii) frictions applied by each leg on the ground to hold the biped robot without slippage and tipping over, and (iii) physical limits of the motors. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed strategy is effective for energy-efficient biped walking.

scholarly journals Control of a Biped Robot by Total Rate of Angular Momentum Using the Task Function Approach

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
J. A. Rojas-Estrada ◽  
J. Marot ◽  
P. Sardain ◽  
G. Bessonnet
Keyword(s):  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Control Problem ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Function Approach ◽  
Control Law ◽  
Total Rate ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Formal Problem

In this work we address the control problem of biped robots by using the task function approach. A problem arrives when one of the feet is in contact with the ground, which presents imperfections. There is then the possibility that the biped robot undergoes a fall. It is difficult to track any trajectory due to the presence of unevenness on the ground. What we propose is to use the task function approach combined with the application of the total rate of angular momentum to obtain a control law for the ankle. By this technique, the tracking becomes more smooth and the balance is assured. The control law proposed allows the upper part of the robot to be controlled independently since only the ankle actuators are concerned. We enounce the formal problem and present some simulations with real parameters of a 21 degrees of freedom biped robot.

Design of a Biped Toy Robot with an Automatic Center of Gravity Shifting Mechanism

2010 ◽  
Vol 118-120 ◽  
pp. 670-674
Author(s):  
Pai Shan Pa ◽  
Jinn Bao Jou
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Zero Moment Point ◽  
Single Motor ◽  
Mechanical Products ◽  
Zero Moment ◽  
Crank Mechanism

The design of the biped toy robot in this study, presents a brand new concept compared to that of the conventional mechanical biped robots on the market. These conventional mechanical products rely mainly on a large sole area to stabilize the wobbling movement during walking. In this design walking stability is not achieved by large sole areas, but by having more degrees of freedom and automatically shifting the center of gravity as the robot walks. A single motor is used to drive the biped toy robot trunk so that the center of gravity is automatically shifted to achieve walking stability. The two feet are driven by four connecting rods for striding and leg-lifting action. More particularly, an equal parallel crank mechanism is provided that uses a single motor to drive the connecting rods, thereby swinging the center of gravity of the toy robot in time with striding frequency. In addition, the concept of the zero moment point is utilized in the shifting of the center of gravity allowing the biped robot to lift its legs, change step, and move forward in balance. This study also discusses the use of the four connecting rods, and the shifting of the center of gravity of the robot, as an alternative to the servomotors commonly used in conventional robots which are bulky, expensive and hard to control.

Bibot-U6: A Novel 6-DoF Biped Active Walking Robot - Modeling, Planning and Control

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 1450014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Zhou ◽  
Yisheng Guan ◽  
Haifei Zhu ◽  
Wenqiang Wu ◽  
Xin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Walking Robots ◽  
Walking Robot ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Biped Walking Robot ◽  
And Control ◽  
High Energy Consumption

Most of current biped robots are active walking platforms. Though they have strong locomotion ability and good adaptability to environments, they have a lot of degrees of freedom (DoFs) and hence result in complex control and high energy consumption. On the other hand, passive or semi-passive walking robots require less DoFs and energy, but their walking capability and robustness are poor. To overcome these shortcomings, we have developed a novel active biped walking robot with only six DoFs. The robot is built with six 1-DoF joint modules and two wheels as the feet. It achieves locomotion in special gaits different from those of traditional biped robots. In this paper, this novel biped robot is introduced, four walking gaits are proposed, the criterion of stable walking is addressed and analyzed, and walking patterns and motion planning are presented. Experiments are carried out to verify the locomotion function, the effectiveness of the presented gaits and to illustrate the features of this novel biped robot. It has been shown that biped active walking may be achieved with only a few DoFs and simple kinematic configuration.

The Design of Central Pattern Generators Based on the Matsuoka Oscillator to Generate Rhythmic Human-Like Movement for Biped Robots

2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 946-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Lei Liu ◽  
◽  
Maki K. Habib ◽  
Keigo Watanabe ◽  
Kiyotaka Izumi
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Coupling Coefficients ◽  
Neuron Models ◽  
Bipedal Robots ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Coupling Dynamics ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
6 Degrees Of Freedom

We propose a controller based on a central pattern generator (CPG) network of mutually coupled Matsuoka nonlinear neural oscillators to generate rhythmic human-like movement for biped robots. The parameters of mutually inhibited and coupled Matsuoka oscillators and the necessary interconnection coupling coefficients within the CPG network directly influence the generation of the required rhythmic signals related to targeted motion. Our objective is to analyze the mutually coupled neuron models of Matsuoka oscillators to realize an efficient CPG design that leads to have dynamic, stable, sustained rhythmic movement with robust gaits for bipedal robots. We discuss the design of a CPG model with new interconnection coupling links and its inhibitation coefficients for a CPG-based controller. The new design was studied through interaction between simulated interconnection coupling dynamics with six links and a musculoskeletal model with the 6 degrees of freedom (DOFs) of a biped robot. We used the weighted outputs of mutually inhibited oscillators as torques to actuate joints. We verified the effectiveness of our proposal through simulation and compared the results to those of Taga’s CPG model, confirming better, more efficient generation of stable rhythmic walking at different speeds and robustness in response to disturbances.

Modeling and Simulation of a Novel 16-DOF Humanoid Biped Robot

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hernández-Santos ◽  
E. Rodriguez-Leal ◽  
R. Soto ◽  
J. L. Gordillo
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Human Gait ◽  
Forward Kinematics ◽  
Kinematics And Dynamics ◽  
Lagrangian Dynamics ◽  
Biped Robots ◽  
Kinematic Chains ◽  
Body Parameters ◽  
The Mathematical Model

Humanoid biped robots are typically complex in design, having numerous degrees-of-freedom (DOF) due to the ambitious goal of mimicking the human gait. This paper presents the forward kinematics and dynamics of a new sixteen DOF humanoid biped robot. The synthesis of the kinematic chains is based on human body parameters in terms of ratios, range of motion, and physical length. The paper proposes a new architecture for a biped robot with seven DOF per each leg, adding one DOF that imitates the toe joint. The dynamic model is approached by dividing the legs into the sagittal and frontal planes, which simplifies the mathematical model by further applying the principle of Lagrangian dynamics. The paper contains several simulations and numerical examples to prove the analytical results.

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