Suggestions for the order of military exoskeletons classification

The article defines the role and place of exoskeletal structures for military purposes in the military equipment of military personnel, and provides a brief analysis of the functional tasks assigned to them. Based on the results of the analysis, a new formulation of the concept of «military exoskeletons» is proposed, and the order of their classification is recommended. Based on the practical experience of creating and using exoskeletons for military purposes, a general description of all the proposed classification groups and their features is given. Key words Military exoskeleton, military combat equipment, classification groups, active assault-type exoskeleton, passive exoskeleton, explosive exoskeleton, rigging exoskeleton, medical exoskeleton.

Features of slopes overcoming by walking devices

For mobile robots designed to work in extreme conditions, an important characteristic is the value of the overcoming slope. For wheeled and tracked vehicles, the angle of the overcoming slope is limited by the adhesion properties of the soil. The walking device can provide overcoming of higher slopes, since the analogue of the adhesion coefficient for walking machines, with a large footprint track depth, can be significantly greater than 1. The paper discusses the results of experimental studies of the features of overcoming slopes by a walking device in weak soil conditions. When mobile robots overcoming inclines, they may overturn or slide downhill. It is shown that on soft soils the sliding of walking machines downhill is unlikely because of significant deformations of the soil under the support elements. On the other hand, the deformation of the soil worsens the resistance of the walking vehicle to overturning. A method of increasing resistance to overturning by controlling the position of the robot body by separately regulating the conditional clearance of walking mechanisms is considered. The possibility of adjusting the clearance in the propulsion unit on the basis of Umnov-Chebyshev cyclic walking mechanisms is shown. Climbing slopes requires a certain amount of traction. The values of the additional power and the force characteristics of the walking device’s drive necessary for successful overcoming of slopes have been determined. The results of the work can be demand in the development of walking machines and mobile robots. Key words Mobile robots, walking machines, interaction with the ground, traction and coupling properties, overcoming slopes, tipping resistance, mathematical modeling, field tests. Acknowledgements Research was partially supported by RFBR and the Administration of the Volgograd region, research projects no. 19-08-01180 a, 19-48-340007 p_a.

Prospects for creation and development of robotic systems in the interests of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia

The analysis of foreign experience in the use of robotic technological systems (RTS) shows that there are many possible areas of their practical application in the activities of state enforcement agencies. In the activities of the Russian police small-sized ground-based robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles have been used, which expand the capabilities of the internal affairs bodies in the course of resolving official tasks. The article presents the current state of the use of RTS in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, discusses the main problems to be solved, and considers the prospects for development of police robotic systems. The scope of use of RTS for various purposes is determined, depending on the application environment and the method of basing.

Mapping of linear road features with the inverse visual detector observation model

The paper proposes an algorithm for mapping linear features detected on the roadway — road marking lines, curbs, road boundaries. The algorithm is based on a mapping method with an inverse observation model. An inverse observation model is proposed to take into account the spatial error of the linear feature visual detector. The influence of various parameters of the model on the resulting quality of mapping was studied. The mapping algorithm was tested on data recorded on an autonomous vehicle while driving at the test site. The quality of the mapping algorithm was assessed according to several quality metrics known from the literature. In addition, the mapping problem was considered as a binary classification problem, in which each map cell may or may not contain the desired feature, and the ROC curve and AUC-ROC metric were used to assess the quality. As a naive solution, a map was built containing all detected linear features without any additional filtering. For the map built on the basis of the raw data, the AUC-ROC was 0.75, and as a result of applying the algorithm, the value of 0.81 was reached. The experimental results have confirmed that the proposed algorithm can effectively filter noise and false-positive detections of the detector, which confirms the applicability of the proposed algorithm and the inverse observation model for solving practical problems. Key words Linear features, mapping, inverse observation model, road map, autonomous vehicle, digital road map.

Features of a real-time s-shaped acceleration/deceleration curve constructing with piecewise linear interpolation of complex-shaped surfaces

In this paper we considered the problem of an s-shaped acceleration/deceleration curve constructing in real time with linear-spline interpolation, taking into account given constraints on the contour acceleration, jerk, and feed rate. The input data for the s-curve were defined in the lookahead algorithm and the geometric smoothing module. The choice of a particular acceleration/deceleration strategy depends on the segment length, the allowable feed rates at the segment junction, and the given kinematic constraints. Each trajectory segment can have a maximum of seven time intervals and their rounding will produce inaccuracies when forming the velocity profile. Therefore, to compensate for rounding errors, the method of half division was applied, which made it possible to remove gaps in the velocity contour. The experimental data obtained indicate the correctness of the chosen approach for its implementation as part of the CNC for high-speed machining of surfaces with complex shapes. Key words Feed-rate planning algorithm, s-shaped acceleration/deceleration, trajectory smoothing, numerical control system, real-time, frame preview algorithm. Acknowledgements The research was carried out with financial support of Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russian Federation in the frame of state assignment (project no.FSFS-2020-0031).

Method for hierarchical management of an intelligent transport system when controlling the movement of a convoy

The article deals with issues related to the use of unmanned vehicles as part of transport convoys for military cargo delivery and offers a new way to manage the intelligent transport system when controlling the convoy’s movement. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that the use of the proposed method and system for its implementation can improve the efficiency, reliability, pace and stability of transport communication. Key words Method, hierarchical control, manned vehicle, unmanned vehicle, convoy, logistics, automated control system, un-manned aerial vehicle, UAV, repeater.

Structure and circuit solution of a wireless power transfer system for application in mobile robotic systems

This paper presents the development of a medium-power wireless power transmission system for use in robotics and other applications. The presented system can be used to power devices or charge batteries. The system is based on the principle of inductive power transmission. A feature of the system is the use of a resonant self-oscillator, for which the transmitting LC circuit of the system is a frequency setting. The use of identical receiving and transmitting resonant circuits makes it possible to refuse additional frequency control devices in the receiving part of the system. The presented circuitry solution of the wireless power transmission system ensures operation in the resonance mode in the receiving and transmitting circuits, where the receiving and transmitting coils are at various positions relative each other, while not requiring a dedicated monitoring and control system for this. Experimental verification of the proposed solution was carried out on a prototype of a system with shell elements, shielding from magnetic fields, while the maximum level of efficiency of the system without an output stabilizer in the receiving part was 80.41%, with a transmitted power of 131.5 W, at a transmission distance of 15 mm. The dependency curves of the efficiency and the transmitted power were obtained for three distances of energy transfer — 0 mm, 15 mm and 30 mm. With distances between the coils up to 30 mm, the efficiency of the system is above 70% with a transmitted power of more than 55 W. Key words Wireless charging system, wireless power transmission, resonant oscillator, wireless power transmission efficiency. Acknowledgements This research is supported by the RFBR, project no.19-08-01215_А.

Virtual prototyping of the lunar module landing system to improve cosmonauts’ spatial and situational awareness

Relevance. The transition to manned flights after the launches of the automatic stations of the «Luna-Globus» series will require studying issues of the crew safety in lunar missions. First of all, it will be necessary to clarify the role and capabilities of cosmonauts when landing the lunar module in complicated conditions. The subject of the study is the means of modeling and visualizing the progress of the flight operation observed by the operator. The area of study is the issues of ensuring the safety of the automatic landing of the lunar descent module with the possibility of switching to manual control mode after a decision was made by a human to change the landing site of the lunar module. The provision of spatial and situational awareness is considered in this context as a prerequisite for the timely response of the operator to the occurrence of a non-standard situation. Objective. The goal of the work is to present the virtual prototyping of the Moon landing stage for studying details of information support for cosmonauts during the conditions of visual control complication. Methodology. The analysis of ways to maintain spatial and situational awareness for a timely assessment by the operator of the suitability of the predicted site in the landing area is a key condition for deciding whether to switch from automatic mode to manual mode. At the same time, the quality of preparation and decision-making in a short time frame significantly depends on the accepted methods of visualizing the landing on the surface of the Moon. Results and Discussion. The directions of application of modeling and visualization tools for virtual prototyping of the landing of the descent lunar module are formulated. It is shown that a person's decision-making in conditions of time scarcity and possible visual interference when monitoring the external environment requires special means of information support. The issues of organizing the visual environment in accordance with the information needs of a person are studied taking into account the prototypes in the classes of manned and unmanned vertical take-off and landing vehicles, for which similar types of operator activities are described. This made it possible to formulate basic approaches to modeling the landing of vehicles in conditions of problems with visual perceptions. Taking into account the increased requirements, we consider promising approaches based on the synthesis of 2D and 3D-visual dynamic scenes, as well as precedents for the use of synthetic vision systems in the described conditions. The scope of application of the obtained results is not limited to the tasks of designing complex human-technical systems, but may have applications in the field of building computer simulators for the training of cosmonauts. This practice compares favorably with the options for human training on hardware-in-the-loop simulation models and on real helicopter-type vehicles in terms of safety and flexibility of modification. Conclusion. The use of virtual prototyping of the moon landing makes it possible to expand the search for options for improving the cosmonaut's spatial and situational awareness. The general conclusion in the context of this goal pursuing is the feasibility of using simulation methods to build a virtual environment that recreates the conditions for a cosmonaut to make a decision in an emergency situation when landing a lunar module, as one of the most critical flight operations for the safety of lunar missions. Key words Lunar exploration, lunar lander, landing simulation and visualization, virtual activity environment, unmanned and manned vertical take-off and landing vehicles, spatial and situational awareness, synthetic vision systems.

Problems of robotic systems testing for moving on space objects

The article discusses the issues of providing full-scale testing of machines and spacecraft. The authors consider the surface of a cosmic body and propose the creation of an analogue of the regolith of the Moon and Mars. It is noted that it is necessary to observe not only the physicochemical and granulometric composition of the analogue, but also its electromagnetic charge, which will allow testing robotic systems more fully. Conclusions and description of the process of regolith creation and its properties are given. Key words Robotic system, space, regolith, electromagnetic properties, physical modeling.

Radiation-tolerant robotic complex URS-2

The results of the development of a radiation-tolerant robotic complex URS-2 for operation in hot cells at nuclear enterprises are presented. The robotic complex consists of several original components: robotic arm, control device with force feedback, control panel with hardware buttons and touch screen, control computer with system and application software, control-and-power cabinet. The robotic manipulator has 6 degrees of freedom, replaceable pneumatic grippers and is characterized by high radiation tolerance, similar to that of mechanical master-slave manipulators. The original design of the control device based on the delta-robot model that implements a copying mode of manual control of the robotic complex with force feedback is presented. The hardware and software solutions developed has made it possible to create a virtual simulator of the RTC for testing innovative methods of remote control of the robot, as well as teaching operators to perform technological tasks in hot cells. The experimental model of the robotic complex has demonstrated the ability to perform basic technological tasks in a demo hot cell, both in manual and automatic modes.