Cooperation and Null-Space Control of Networked Omni-Directional Mobile Manipulators

Author(s):  
Michael John Chua ◽  
Yen-Chen Liu

Abstract This paper presents cooperation and null-space control for networked mobile manipulators with high degrees of freedom (DOFs). First, kinematic model and Euler-Lagrange dynamic model of the mobile manipulator, which has an articulated robot arm mounted on a mobile base with omni-directional wheels, have been presented. Then, the dynamic decoupling has been considered so that the task-space and the null-space can be controlled separately to accomplish different missions. The motion of the end-effector is controlled in the task-space, and the force control is implemented to make sure the cooperation of the mobile manipulators, as well as the transportation tasks. Also, the null-space control for the manipulator has been combined into the decoupling control. For the mobile base, it is controlled in the null-space to track the velocity of the end-effector, avoid other agents, avoid the obstacles, and move in a defined range based on the length of the manipulator without affecting the main task. Numerical simulations have been addressed to demonstrate the proposed methods.

Author(s):  
Glenn D. White ◽  
Venkat N. Krovi

Our overall goal is to develop semi-autonomous and decentralized task performance capabilities during cooperative payload transport by a fleet of wheeled mobile manipulators (WMM). Each nonholonomic WMM consists of a planar two-link manipulator mounted on top of a differentially-driven wheeled mobile base. The nonholonomic base and the significant inherent redundancy create challenges for control of end-effector motion/force outputs. Nevertheless, realizing this capability is a critical precursor to decentralized payload manipulation operations. To this end, a dynamic redundancy resolution strategy is critical in order to control the dynamic interactions. The system dynamics are decomposed into a task space component (consisting of end-effector motions/forces) and a decoupled dynamically-consistent null-space part (of internal-motions/forces). A task-space controller is developed that allows each WMM module to be able to control its end-effector (motions/forces) interactions with respect to the payload. The surplus of actuation is then used to independently control internal-motions (of the mobile base) as long as they do not conflict with the primary goal. A variety of numerical simulations are then performed to test this capability of the end-effector and mobile base to independently track complex motion/force trajectories.


Robotica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Frejek ◽  
S. B. Nokleby

SUMMARYAn algorithm for the tele-operation of mobile-manipulator systems with a focus on ease of use for the operator is presented. The algorithm allows for unified, intuitive, and coordinated control of mobile manipulators. It consists of three states. In the first state, a single 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) joystick is used to control the manipulator's position and orientation. The second state occurs when the manipulator approaches a singular configuration, resulting in the mobile base moving in a manner so as to keep the end-effector travelling in its last direction of motion. This is done through the use of a constrained optimization routine. The third state is entered when the operator returns the joystick to the home position. Both the mobile base and manipulator move with respect to one another keeping the end-effector stationary and placing the manipulator into an ideal configuration. The algorithm has been implemented on an 8-DOF mobile manipulator and the test results show that it is effective at moving the system in an intuitive manner.


Robotica ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn D. White ◽  
Rajankumar M. Bhatt ◽  
Venkat N. Krovi

SUMMARYWheeled Mobile Manipulators (WMM) possess many advantages over fixed-base counterparts in terms of improved workspace, mobility and robustness. However, the combination of the nonholonomic constraints with the inherent redundancy limits effective exploitation of end-effector payload manipulation capabilities. The dynamic-level redundancy-resolution scheme presented in this paper decomposes the system dynamics into decoupled task-space (end-effector motions/forces) and a dynamically consistent null-space (internal motions/forces) component. This simplifies the subsequent development of a prioritized task-space control (of end-effector interactions) and a decoupled but secondary null-space control (of internal motions) in a hierarchical WMM controller. Various aspects of the ensuing novel capabilities are illustrated using a series of simulation results.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-489
Author(s):  
G. Pająk

A method of planning sub-optimal trajectory for a mobile manipulator working in the environment including obstacles is presented. The path of the end-effector is defined as a curve that can be parameterized by any scaling parameter, the reference trajectory of a mobile platform is not needed. Constraints connected with the existence of mechanical limits for a given manipulator configuration, collision avoidance conditions and control constraints are considered. The motion of the mobile manipulator is planned in order to maximize the manipulability measure, thus to avoid manipulator singularities. The method is based on a penalty function approach and a redundancy resolution at the acceleration level. A computer example involving a mobile manipulator consisting of a nonholonomic platform and a SCARA type holonomic manipulator operating in a two-dimensional task space is also presented.


Electronics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 441
Author(s):  
Daniel Feliu-Talegon ◽  
Andres San-Millan ◽  
Vicente Feliu-Batlle

This work is concerned with the mechanical design and the description of the different components of a new mobile base for a lightweight mobile manipulator. These kinds of mobile manipulators are normally composed of multiple lightweight links mounted on a mobile platform. This work is focused on the description of the mobile platform, the development of a new kinematic model and the design of a control strategy for the system. The proposed kinematic model and control strategy are validated by means of experimentation using the real prototype. The workspace of the system is also defined.


Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Álvaro Belmonte ◽  
José Ramón ◽  
Jorge Pomares ◽  
Gabriel Garcia ◽  
Carlos Jara

This paper presents a direct image-based controller to perform the guidance of a mobile manipulator using image-based control. An eye-in-hand camera is employed to perform the guidance of a mobile differential platform with a seven degrees-of-freedom robot arm. The presented approach is based on an optimal control framework and it is employed to control mobile manipulators during the tracking of image trajectories taking into account robot dynamics. The direct approach allows us to take both the manipulator and base dynamics into account. The proposed image-based controllers consider the optimization of the motor signals sent to the mobile manipulator during the tracking of image trajectories by minimizing the control force and torque. As the results show, the proposed direct visual servoing system uses the eye-in-hand camera images for concurrently controlling both the base platform and robot arm. The use of the optimal framework allows us to derive different visual controllers with different dynamical behaviors during the tracking of image trajectories.


Robotica ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirosław Galicki

SUMMARYThis study offers the solution of the end-effector trajectory tracking problem subject to state constraints, suitably transformed into control-dependent ones, for mobile manipulators. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a class of controllers fulfilling the above constraints and generating the mobile manipulator trajectory with (instantaneous) minimal energy, is proposed. The problem of manipulability enforcement is solved here based on an exterior penalty function approach which results in continuous mobile manipulator controls even near boundaries of state constraints. The numerical simulation results carried out for a mobile manipulator consisting of a non-holonomic unicycle and a holonomic manipulator of two revolute kinematic pairs, operating in a two-dimensional task space, illustrate the performance of the proposed controllers.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Boukattaya ◽  
Tarak Damak ◽  
Mohamed Jallouli

In this paper, we present a dynamic redundancy resolution technique for mobile manipulator subject to joint torque limits. First, the dynamic model of the mobile manipulator in feasible motion space is given. Next, a control algorithm is proposed which completely decouples the motion of the system into the end-effector motion in the task space and an internal motion in the null space and controls them in prioritized basis with priority given to the primary task space and enables the selection of characteristics in both subspaces separately. A special attention is given to the joints torque limits avoidance where a new weighted pseudo-inverse of the Jacobian that accounts for both inertia and torque limits is proposed to solve problems inherent to torque limits of the system. Simulation results are given to illustrate the coordination of two subsystems in executing the desired trajectory without violating the joint torque limits.


Author(s):  
Hao Su ◽  
Venkat Krovi

In this paper, we present a decentralized dynamic control algorithm for a robot collective consisting of multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile manipulators (NH-WMMs) capable of cooperatively transporting a common payload. In this algorithm, the high level controller deals with motion/force control of the payload, at the same time distributes the motion/force task into individual agents by grasp description matrix. In each individual agent, the low level controller decomposes the system dynamics into decoupled task space (end-effector motions/forces) and a dynamically-consistent null-space (internal motions/forces) component. The agent level control algorithm facilitates the prioritized operational task accomplishment with the end-effector impedance-mode controller and secondary null-space control. The scalability and modularity is guaranteed upon the decentralized control architecture. Numerical simulations are performed for a 2-NH-WMM system carrying a payload (with/without uncertainty) to validate this approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zubair Iqbal ◽  
Maria Pozzi ◽  
Domenico Prattichizzo ◽  
Gionata Salvietti

Collaborative robots promise to add flexibility to production cells thanks to the fact that they can work not only close to humans but also with humans. The possibility of a direct physical interaction between humans and robots allows to perform operations that were inconceivable with industrial robots. Collaborative soft grippers have been recently introduced to extend this possibility beyond the robot end-effector, making humans able to directly act on robotic hands. In this work, we propose to exploit collaborative grippers in a novel paradigm in which these devices can be easily attached and detached from the robot arm and used also independently from it. This is possible only with self-powered hands, that are still quite uncommon in the market. In the presented paradigm not only hands can be attached/detached to/from the robot end-effector as if they were simple tools, but they can also remain active and fully functional after detachment. This ensures all the advantages brought in by tool changers, that allow for quick and possibly automatic tool exchange at the robot end-effector, but also gives the possibility of using the hand capabilities and degrees of freedom without the need of an arm or of external power supplies. In this paper, the concept of detachable robotic grippers is introduced and demonstrated through two illustrative tasks conducted with a new tool changer designed for collaborative grippers. The novel tool changer embeds electromagnets that are used to add safety during attach/detach operations. The activation of the electromagnets is controlled through a wearable interface capable of providing tactile feedback. The usability of the system is confirmed by the evaluations of 12 users.


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