Walking quality guaranteed central pattern generator control method

Author(s):  
Jiaqi Zhang ◽  
Xiaolei Han ◽  
Xueying Han

Creating effective locomotion for a legged robot is a challenging task. Central pattern generators have been widely used to control robot locomotion. However, one significant disadvantage of the central pattern generator method is its inability to design high-quality walks because it only produces sine or quasi-sine signals for motor control as compared to most cases in which the expected control signals are more advanced. Control accuracy is therefore diminished when traditional methods are replaced by central pattern generators resulting in unaesthetically pleasing walking robots. In this paper, we present a set of solutions, based on testings of Sony’s four-legged robotic dog (AIBO), which produces the same walking quality as traditional methods. First, we designed a method based on both evolution and learning to optimize the walking gait. Second, a central pattern generator model was put forth to enabled AIBO to learn from arbitrary periodic inputs, which resulted in the replication of the optimized gait to ensure high-quality walking. Lastly, an accelerator sensor feedback was introduced so that AIBO could detect uphill and downhill terrains and change its gait according to the surrounding environment. Simulations were performed to verify this method.

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 3415-3427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene F. Jansen ◽  
Anton W. Pieneman ◽  
Andries ter Maat

Jansen, Rene F., Anton W. Pieneman, and Andries ter Maat. Behavior-dependent activities of a central pattern generator in freely behaving Lymnaea stagnalis. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 3415–3427, 1997. Cyclic or repeated movements are thought to be driven by networks of neurons (central pattern generators) that are dynamic in their connectivity. During two unrelated behaviors (feeding and egg laying), we investigated the behavioral output of the buccal pattern generator as well as the electrical activity of a pair of identified interneurons that have been shown to be involved in setting the level of activity of this pattern generator (PG). Analysis of the quantile plots of the parameters that describe the behavior (movements of the buccal mass) reveals that during egg laying, the behavioral output of the PG is different compared with that during feeding. Comparison of the average durations of the different parts of the buccal movements showed that during egg laying, the duration of one specific part of buccal movement is increased. Correlated with these changes in the behavioral output of the PG were changes in the firing rate of the cerebral giant neurons (CGC), a pair of interneurons that have been shown to modulate the activity of the PG by means of multiple synaptic contacts with neurons in the buccal ganglion. Interval- and autocorrelation histograms of the behavioral output and CGC spiking show that both the PG output and the spiking properties of the CGCs are different when comparing egg-laying animals with feeding animals. Analysis of the timing relations between the CGCs and the behavioral output of the PG showed that both during feeding and egg laying, the electrical activity of the CGCs is largely in phase with the PG output, although small changes occur. We discuss how these results lead to specific predictions about the kinds of changes that are likely to occur when the animal switches the PG from feeding to egg laying and how the hormones that cause egg laying are likely to be involved.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (08) ◽  
pp. 1350142 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. HURTADO-LÓPEZ ◽  
D. F. RAMÍREZ-MORENO

In this work, we present a bifurcation analysis of a network of symmetrically coupled units modeling central pattern generators for quadruped locomotion. Here, we show a reduced model and characterize its dynamics and the dependence of the model behavior when one of the parameters is varied.


1988 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-87
Author(s):  
PATSY S. DICKINSON ◽  
FRÉDÉRIC NAGY ◽  
MAURICE MOULINS

In the red lobster (Palinurus vulgaris), an identified neurone, the anterior pyloric modulator neurone (APM), which has previously been shown to modulate the output of the pyloric central pattern generator, was shown to modulate the output of the gastric mill central pattern generator. APM activity induced a rhythm when the network was silent and increased rhythmic activity when the network was already active. Rhythmic activity was induced whether APM fired in single bursts, tonically or in repetitive bursts. A single burst in APM induced a rhythm which considerably outlasted the burst, whereas repetitive bursts effectively entrained the gastric oscillator. These modulations involved two major mechanisms. (1) APM induced or enhanced plateau properties in some of the gastric mill neurones. (2) APM activated the extrinsic inputs to the network, thus increasing the excitatory synaptic drive to most of the neurones of the network. As a result, when APM was active, all the neurones of the pattern generator actively participated in the rhythmic activity. By its actions on two separate but behaviourally related neural networks, the APM neurone may be able to control an entire concert of related types of behaviour.


2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 1186-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Morgan ◽  
Ray Perrins ◽  
Philip E. Lloyd ◽  
Klaudiusz R. Weiss

Intrinsic and extrinsic neuromodulation are both thought to be responsible for the flexibility of the neural circuits (central pattern generators) that control rhythmic behaviors. Because the two forms of modulation have been studied in different circuits, it has been difficult to compare them directly. We find that the central pattern generator for biting in Aplysia is modulated both extrinsically and intrinsically. Both forms of modulation increase the frequency of motor programs and shorten the duration of the protraction phase. Extrinsic modulation is mediated by the serotonergic metacerebral cell (MCC) neurons and is mimicked by application of serotonin. Intrinsic modulation is mediated by the cerebral peptide-2 (CP-2) containing CBI-2 interneurons and is mimicked by application of CP-2. Since the effects of CBI-2 and CP-2 occlude each other, the modulatory actions of CBI-2 may be mediated by CP-2 release. Although the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic modulation are similar, the neurons that mediate them are active predominantly at different times, suggesting a specialized role for each system. Metacerebral cell (MCC) activity predominates in the preparatory (appetitive) phase and thus precedes the activation of CBI-2 and biting motor programs. Once the CBI-2s are activated and the biting motor program is initiated, MCC activity declines precipitously. Hence extrinsic modulation prefacilitates biting, whereas intrinsic modulation occurs during biting. Since biting inhibits appetitive behavior, intrinsic modulation cannot be used to prefacilitate biting in the appetitive phase. Thus the sequential use of extrinsic and intrinsic modulation may provide a means for premodulation of biting without the concomitant disruption of appetitive behaviors.


2013 ◽  
Vol 461 ◽  
pp. 633-640
Author(s):  
Xin Guo ◽  
Ming Yue Li ◽  
Cai Yu Xu

A Multitude of different prosthesis designs have been developed for restoring transtibial and transfemoral amputees’ mobility.But yet,most of them are considered as passive devices.Therefore,more and more researchers develop bionic controller that simulate the biological certral pattern generator,namely CPG.This paper presents a new control method using bipedal robotics technology and bio-inspiration based on CPG.To begin with,we present the fundamental measurement of human walking gait and the device mainly includes three-dimensional camera system,digitized movements analyzer and so on.We choose hopf oscillators as CPG simulation unit.And after several tests,five oscillators are just right for a single joint.We change the simple hopf oscillator equation.Thus corresponding to the knee,CPG modeling finally generate actual human angle curve.Then we define learning equation as learning a given periodic signal.By trying different values of the different parameters we obtain the desired walking curve of knee joint.Using the obtained parameters,learning equation reproduce knee joint angle.According to the signal of the accelerometer that placed in the hip to adjust learning equation,so the amputees can easily control the speed of walking.Matlab simulation results show that the same trend with changes in human joint angles,which lay a good foundation for the control of active prostheses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dai Owaki ◽  
Shun-ya Horikiri ◽  
Jun Nishii ◽  
Akio Ishiguro

Despite the appealing concept of central pattern generator (CPG)-based control for bipedal walking robots, there is currently no systematic methodology for designing a CPG-based controller. To remedy this oversight, we attempted to apply the Tegotae approach, a Japanese concept describing how well a perceived reaction, i.e., sensory information, matches an expectation, i.e., an intended motor command, in designing localised controllers in the CPG-based bipedal walking model. To this end, we developed a Tegotae function that quantifies the Tegotae concept. This function allowed incorporating decentralised controllers into the proposed bipedal walking model systematically. We designed a two-dimensional bipedal walking model using Tegotae functions and subsequently implemented it in simulations to validate the proposed design scheme. We found that our model can walk on both flat and uneven terrains and confirmed that the application of the Tegotae functions in all joint controllers results in excellent adaptability to environmental changes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 003685041987773
Author(s):  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Tianhong Luo ◽  
Chunpeng Pan ◽  
Guoguo Wu

Synchronous control is a fundamental and significant problem for controlling a multi-joint robot. In this article, by applying two coupled Rayleigh oscillators as the referred central pattern generator models for the two joints of a two-degrees-of-freedom robot, the central pattern generator–based coupling control method is proposed for controlling the two-degrees-of-freedom robot’s joints. On these bases, the co-simulation model of the two-degrees-of-freedom robot with the proposed central pattern generator–based coupling control method is established via ADAMS and MATLAB/Simulink, and the performance of the central pattern generator–based coupling control method on synchronizing two motions of two-degrees-of-freedom robot’s joints is numerically simulated. Furthermore, the experimental setup of a two-degrees-of-freedom robot is established based on the real-time simulations system via the proposed central pattern generator–based coupling control method. And experiments are carried out on the established setup. Simulations and experimental results show that the phase of the controlled two-degrees-of-freedom robot’s joints is mutual locked to other, and their motion pattern can be adjusted through the coupling parameter in the central pattern generator–based coupling control method. In conclusion, the proposed central pattern generator–based coupling control method can control the two-degrees-of-freedom robot’s joints to produce the coordinated motions and adjust the rhythmic pattern of the two-degrees-of-freedom robot.


2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Jinks ◽  
Richard J. Atherley ◽  
Carmen L. Dominguez ◽  
Karen A. Sigvardt ◽  
Joseph F. Antognini

Background Although volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane can depress sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord, movement occurring during anesthesia can be coordinated, involving multiple limbs as well as the head and trunk. However, it is unclear whether volatile anesthetics depress locomotor interneurons comprising central pattern generators or disrupt intersegmental central pattern generator coordination. Methods Lamprey spinal cords were excised during anesthesia and placed in a bath containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid and D-glutamate to induce fictive swimming. The rostral, middle, and caudal regions were bath-separated using acrylic partitions and petroleum jelly, and in each compartment, the authors recorded ventral root activity. The authors selectively delivered isoflurane (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) only to the middle segments of the spinal cord. Spectral analyses were then used to assess isoflurane effects on central pattern generator activity and coordination. Results Isoflurane dose-dependently reduced fictive locomotor activity in all three compartments, with 1.5% isoflurane nearly eliminating activity in the middle compartment and reducing spectral amplitudes in the anesthetic-free rostral and caudal compartments to 23% and 31% of baseline, respectively. Isoflurane decreased burst frequency in the caudal compartment only, to 53% of baseline. Coordination of central pattern generator activity between the rostral and caudal compartments was also dose-dependently decreased, to 42% of control at 1.5% isoflurane. Conclusion Isoflurane disrupts motor output by reducing interneuronal central pattern generator activity in the spinal cord. The effects of isoflurane on motor output outside the site of isoflurane application were presumably independent of effects on sensory or motor neurons.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 172988141988528
Author(s):  
Yasushi Habu ◽  
Keiichiro Uta ◽  
Yasuhiro Fukuoka

We aim to design a neuromorphic controller for the locomotion of a quadruped robot with muscle-driven leg mechanisms. To this end, we use a simulated cat model; each leg of the model is equipped with three joints driven by six muscle models incorporating two-joint muscles. For each leg, we use a two-level central pattern generator consisting of a rhythm generation part to produce basic rhythms and a pattern formation part to synergistically activate a different set of muscles in each of the four sequential phases (swing, touchdown, stance, and liftoff). Conventionally, it was difficult for a quadruped model with such realistic neural systems and muscle-driven leg mechanisms to walk even on flat terrain, but because of our improved neural and mechanical components, our quadruped model succeeds in reproducing motoneuron activations and leg trajectories similar to those in cats and achieves stable three-dimensional locomotion at a variety of speeds. Moreover, the quadruped is capable of walking upslope and over irregular terrains and adapting to perturbations, even without adjusting the parameters.


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