In this paper, a novel dynamic navigational planning strategy is proposed for single as well as multiple humanoids in intricate environments on a glowworm-based optimization method. The sensory information regarding the obstacle distances and target information are supplied as inputs to the navigational model. The essential turning angle is generated as the output of the controller to avoid obstacles

The hardware-in-the-loop docking simulators are significant ground test equipment for aerospace projects. The fidelity of docking simulation highly depends on the accuracy performance. This paper investigates the kinematic accuracy for the developed docking simulator. A novel kinematic calibration method which can reduce the number of parameters for error modeling is presented. The principle of parameters

In this paper, a new approach is presented for perfect torque compensation of the robot in point-to-point motions. The proposed method is formulated as an open-loop optimal control problem. The problem is defined as optimal trajectory planning with adjustable design parameters to compensate applied torques of a planar 5R parallel robot for a given task, perfectly. To illustrate the effectiveness of

Human–robot interaction (HRI) is one of the most rapidly growing research fields in robotics and promising for the future of robotics technology. Despite the fact that numerous significant research results in HRI have been presented during the last years, there are still challenges in several critical topics of HRI, which could be summarized as: (i) collision and safety, (ii) virtual guides, (iii)

Cooperative transportation by human and robotic coworkers constitutes a challenging research field that could lead to promising technological achievements. Toward this direction, the present work demonstrates that, under a leader–follower architecture, where the human determines the object’s desired trajectory, complex cooperative object manipulation with minimal human effort may be achieved. More

A new coverage path planning (CPP) algorithm, namely cell permeability-based coverage (CPC) algorithm, is proposed in this paper. Unlike the most CPP algorithms using approximate cellular decomposition, the proposed algorithm achieves exact coverage with lower coverage overlap compared to that with the existing algorithms. Apart from a formal analysis of the algorithm, the performance of the proposed

The problem of finite-time tracking control for n-link flexible-joint robot manipulators is addressed. An adaptive fuzzy finite-time command-filtered backstepping control scheme is presented to solve the following problems: “explosion of terms” problem, finite-time stabilization of the closed-loop system, and the reduction of computational cost. To this end, new virtual adaptive control signals and

The design and experimental works of an autonomous robotic platform for road marks painting are presented in this paper as the first autonomous system of its kind. The whole system involves two main sub-systems, namely: an autonomous mobile robot navigation system which is used for recognizing the roads and estimating the position of road marks, and automatic road marks painting system that is attached

This paper proposes an approach for the high-level programming of co-designed robots that reduces programming complexity. Particularly, the work presented focuses on the programming framework of an intelligent system, based on the IEEE Standard Ontologies for Robotics and Automation, which allows users the automatic design of robots and the automatic implementation of controllers in the Robot Operating

The usage of depth data from time-of-flight or any equivalent devices overcomes visual challenges presented under low illumination. For integrating such data from multiple sources, the paper proposes a novel tool for the calibration of sensors. The proposed tool consists of retro-reflective stripped spheres. To correctly estimate these spheres, the paper investigates the performance of spherical estimations

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was introduced for nondeterministic traffic monitoring, and a real-time UAV cruise route planning approach was proposed for road segment surveillance. First, critical road segments are defined so as to identify the visiting and unvisited road segments. Then, a UAV cruise route optimization model is established. Next, a decomposition-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm

This paper proposes a mobile parallel robot (MPR) and focuses on obstacle avoidance. When analyzing the collision-free trajectories, the coupling constraints caused by the parallel mechanism and the obstacle should be emphatically solved. The solution is to divide the problem into two steps. First, the genetic algorithm is employed to search and optimize the feasible trajectories under the mechanism

The dynamical stability of the cable-driven lower-limb rehabilitation training robot (CLLRTR) is a crucial question. Based on the established dynamics model of CLLRTR, the solution to the wrench closure of the under-constrained system is presented. Secondly, the stability index of CLLRTR is proposed by the Krasovski method. Finally, in order to analyze the stability distribution of CLLRTR in the workspace

This paper proposes a dynamic modeling method of redundant drive spatial parallel mechanism, dynamics of 4-UPS-RPU redundant driving spatial parallel mechanism considering spherical joint clearance are analyzed. The dynamic equation of spherical joint clearance with Lagrange multiplier is built. The influences of single clearance and multiple clearances on dynamic responses of redundant drive spatial

The search space of the path planning problem can greatly affect the running time and memory consumption, for example, the concave obstacle in grid-based map usually leads to the invalid search space. In this paper, the filling container algorithm is proposed to alleviate the concave area problem in 2D map space, which is inspired from the scenario of pouring water into a cup. With this method, concave

The V-groove joint of thick wall intersecting pipes must be filled by multi-layer weld. The welding path of intersecting pipes is complicated, and hence multi-layer welds increase the complexity of the problem. This paper proposes a methodology for path planning of multi-layer weld of thick wall intersecting pipes. The methodology is based on measuring the electrode pose located in both side and front

A robotic manipulator’s classical mechanical capabilities are governed by the design parameters (mass, geometry, dimensions, etc.) of its kinematic pairs and its architecture (number of limbs, degrees of freedom, actuation ability, etc.). Using Clifford-Algebraic and network theoretic methods, this work presents a novel-theoretical framework which allows any two robot architectures and design parameters

Robots are now among us and even though they compete with human beings in terms of performance and efficiency, they still fail to meet the challenge of performing a task optimally while providing strict motion safety guarantees. It is therefore necessary that the future generation of robots evolves in this direction. Generally, in robotics state-of-the-art approaches, the trajectory optimization and

A novel underwater vehicle configuration with an operating principle as the Sepiida animal is presented and developed in this paper. The mathematical equations describing the movements of the vehicle are obtained using the Newton–Euler approach. An analysis of the dynamic model is done for control purposes. A prototype and its embedded system are developed for validating analytically and experimentally

The particularity of nuclear power plant environment requires that the nuclear power inspection robot must be remote control operation. The main purpose of the inspection robot is to carry out inspection, prevention, reporting, and safety emergency operation on the instruments, so as to provide guarantee for the safe operation of the nuclear power plant. Based on the representative configuration of

In this article, we investigate the problem of parameter identification of spatial–temporal varying processes described by a general nonlinear partial differential equation and validate the feasibility and robustness of the proposed algorithm using a group of coordinated mobile robots equipped with sensors in a realistic diffusion field. Based on the online parameter identification method developed

This paper addresses the issue of monitoring spatial environmental phenomena of interest utilizing information collected by a network of mobile, wireless, and noisy sensors that can take discrete measurements as they navigate through the environment. It is proposed to employ Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) represented on an irregular discrete lattice by using the stochastic partial differential

An improved FastSLAM based on the robust square-root cubature Kalman filter (RSRCKF) with partial genetic resampling is proposed in this paper. In the proposed method, RSRCKF is used to design the proposal distribution of FastSLAM and to estimate environment landmarks. The proposed method does not require a priori knowledge of the noise statistics. In addition, to increase diversity, it uses the genetic

The 7 degrees of freedom (DOF) redundant manipulator greatly improves obstacle/singularity avoidance capability and operational flexibility. However, the inverse kinematics problem of this manipulator is very difficult to solve because it has an infinite number of solutions. This paper uses a new numerical sequence processing method with a closed-loop framework to solve the inverse kinematics of the

Accurate torque control is a critical issue in the compliant human–robot interaction scenario, which is, however, challenging due to the ever-changing human intentions, input delay, and various disturbances. Even worse, the performances of existing control strategies are limited on account of the compromise between precision and stability. To this end, this paper presents a novel high-performance torque

The variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is helpful to realize the post-collision safety strategies for safe human–robot interaction.1 The stiffness of the robot will be reduced to protect the user from injury when the collision between the robot and human occurs. However, The VSA has a mechanism limit constraint that can cause harm to users even if the stiffness is minimized. Accordingly, in this article

The purpose of this paper is to design a stabilizing controller for a car with n connected trailers. The proposed control algorithm is constructed on the Lyapunov theory. In this paper, the purpose of navigating the system toward the desired point considering the slip phenomenon as a main source of uncertainty is analyzed. First mathematical models are presented. Then, a stabilizing control approach

This work presents a multimode flight framework control scheme for a quadrotor based on the super twisting algorithm. The controller design stages for six flight control modes are presented. The stability proof for each flight mode is carried out by means of Lyapunov functions, while the stability analysis for the complete control scheme, when a transition from one flight mode to another occurs, is

This paper proposes a set of novel indices for evaluating the kinematic performance of a 3-RRS (R and S denote revolute and spherical joint respectively, R denotes active joint.), parallel mechanism whose translational and rotational movements are strongly coupled. First, the indices are formulated using the decoupled overall Jacobian matrix, which is developed using coordinate transformation. Then

This paper presents an experimental study on new paradigms of haptic-based teleoperated navigation of underwater vehicles. Specifically, the work is focused on investigating the possibility of enhancing the user interaction by introducing haptic cues at the level of the user wrist providing a force feedback that reflects dynamic forces on the remotely operated underwater vehicle. Different typologies

Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) is a relevant solution for vehicle localization and mapping environments. However, it is computationally expensive because it demands large computational effort, making it a non-real-time solution. The VSLAM systems that employ geometric reconstructions are based on the parallel processing paradigm developed in the Parallel Tracking and Mapping (PTAM)

Rendering of rigid objects with high stiffness while guaranteeing system stability remains a major and challenging issue in haptics. Being a part of the haptic system, the behavior of human operators, represented as the mechanical impedance of arm, has an inevitable influence on system performance. This paper first verified that the human arm impedance can unconsciously be modified through imposing

Optimal grasping points for a robotic gripper were derived, based on object and hand geometry, using deep neural networks (DNNs). The optimal grasping cost functions were derived using probability density functions for each local cost function of the normal distribution. Using the DNN, the optimum height and width were set for the robot hand to grasp objects, whose geometric and mass centre points

This article proposes a method for incremental data dimensionality reduction in loop closure detection for robotic autonomous navigation. The approach uses dominant eigenvector concept for: (a) spectral description of visual datasets and (b) representation in low dimension. Unlike most other papers on data dimensionality reduction (which is done in batch mode), our method combines a sliding window

This paper reports on laboratory and field experimental results for controlled robotic manipulators operating on moving platforms with unmodeled dynamics. The aim is to validate theoretical predictions for the dependence on control parameters of an adaptive control strategy. In addition, the results provide insight into different discretizations of the continuous-time formulation, suggesting the most

Efficient algorithm integration is a key issue in aerial robotics. However, only a few integration solutions rely on a cognitive approach. Cognitive approaches break down complex problems into independent units that may deal with progressively lower-level data interfaces, all the way down to sensors and actuators. A cognitive architecture defines information flow among units to produce emergent intelligent

This paper deals with motion planning and control problems for a class of partially differentially flat systems. They possess a feature that the derivative of the fiber variable can be represented purely by the base variable and its derivatives. Based on this feature, a Beta function-based motion planning algorithm is proposed with less computational cost compared with the optimal control formulation

Soft robots can perform effectively inspecting than rigid robots in some special environments such as nuclear pipelines and high-voltage cables. This article presents a versatile quadruped soft rod-climbing robot (SR-CR) that consists of four bending actuators and a telescopic actuator. The bending actuator is composed of flexible bellows with multiple folding air chambers, elastic telescopic layer

This paper proposes a shared control scheme which aims to achieve a stable control of the speed and turn of a bipedal robot during a delayed bilateral teleoperation. The strategy allows to get a delay-dependent damping value that must be injected to assure a bounded response of the hybrid system, while simultaneously, the human operator receives a force feedback that help him to decrease the synchronism

Today, robots can be found helping humans with their daily tasks. Some tasks require the robot to visit a set of locations in the environment efficiently, like in the Traveling Salesman Problem. As indoor environments are maze-like areas, feasible paths connecting locations must be computed beforehand, so they can be combined during the scheduling, which can be impracticable for real-time applications

This paper proposes a novel laser beam tracking mechanism for a mobile target robot that is used in shooting ranges. Compared with other traditional tracking mechanisms and modules, the proposed laser beam tracking mechanism is more flexible and low cost in use. The mechanical design and the working principle of the tracking module are illustrated, and the complete control system of the mobile target

For acquiring a broad view in an unknown environment, we proposed a control strategy based on the Bézier curve for the snake robot raising its head. Then, an improved discretization method was developed to accommodate the backbone curves with more complex shapes. Besides, in order to determine the condition of using the improved discretization method, energy of framed space curve is introduced originally

In this paper, a sliding mode control using a control point concept is proposed for an under-actuated quadrotor. The proposed controller controls the position of the control point, a displaced point from the quadrotor’s geometric center, and the yaw angle. This method solves singularity issues in control matrix inversion and enables the utilization of the multi-input multi-output equation to derive

This paper addresses the tracking problem for uncertain nonlinear sandwich systems that consist of two nonlinear subsystems and saturation nonlinearity, which is sandwiched between the subsystems. The considered sandwich system is also subject to a nonsymmetric input saturation constraint. Due to the nonsmooth characteristics of sandwiched saturation nonlinearity and also the input saturation function

In brachytherapy, the manual implantation of seeds is not accurate leading to side effects and limiting the use of new procedures. Robotics solutions have to be fully suitable for medical applications especially considering the operating room. This paper investigates a delta robot solution for improving the accuracy of the prostate brachytherapy procedure by proposing a compact and lightweight robot

The optimum selection of a structure for a given application is a capital phase in typological synthesis of parallel robots. To help in this selection, this paper presents a performance evaluation of four translational parallel robots: Delta, 3-UPU, Romdhane-Affi-Fayet, and Tri-pyramid (TP). The problem is set as a multiobjective optimization using genetic algorithm methods, which uses kinematic criteria

The current contribution presents a new sinkage sensor specified for an unmanned ground vehicle to find the exact sinkage zone of a wheel interacting with the soil particles. This sensor will be wrapped around the wheel, and consequently, contact analog outputs will be used in soil deposition and bulldozing effect prediction. Furthermore, the new sensor will be used for a novel soil flow calculation

An autonomous motion planning framework is proposed, consisting of path planning and trajectory generation. Primarily, a spacious preferred probabilistic roadmap algorithm is utilized to search a safe and short path, considering kinematics and threats from obstacles. Subsequently, a minimum-snap and position-clearance polynomial trajectory problem is transformed into an unconstrained quadratic programming

Aiming at planning the welding path of complex ship components, a welding path planning optimization model was constructed with the shortest welding path and using the target and the welding process and welding starting and ending points as constraints. Based on the model, an improved ant colony algorithm with dynamic adaptive parameters was proposed to complete the path planning work. Simulation results

The objective of this work is to construct a robot that is based on 3D printing to meet the low-cost and light structures. The Computer-aided-design model is used with LabVIEW to simulate the given trajectory. Users of the simulation of such methodology can preview the simulated motion and perceive and resolve discrepancies between the planned and simulated paths prior to execution of a task. The advantages

The aerial manipulator is a special and new type of flying robot composed of a rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a/several manipulator/s. It has gained a lot of attention since its initial appearance in 2010. This is mainly because it enables traditional UAVs to conduct versatile manipulating tasks from air, considerably enriching their applications. In this survey, a complete and systematic

The various vision-based tactile sensors have been developed for robotic perception in recent years. In this paper, the novel soft robotic finger embedded with the visual sensor is proposed for perception. It consists of a colored soft inner chamber, an outer structure, and an endoscope camera. The bending perception algorithm based on image preprocessing and deep learning is proposed. The boundary

This paper introduces a new RGBD-Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (RGBD-SLAM) based on a revisited keyframe SLAM. This solution improves the localization by combining visual and depth data in a local bundle adjustment. Then, it presents an extension of this RGBD-SLAM that takes advantage of a partial knowledge of the scene. This solution allows using a prior knowledge of the 3D model of the environment

In this paper, hybrid control of central pattern generators (CPGs), along with an adaptive supper-twisting sliding mode (ASTSM) control based on supper-twisting state observer, is proposed to guard against disturbances and uncertainties. Rhythmic and coordinated signals are generated using CPGs. In addition, to overcome the chattering of conventional sliding mode, supper-twisting sliding mode has been

This paper presents a Chebyshev Pseudospectral (PS) method for solving the motion planning problem of nonholonomic mobile robots with kinematic and dynamic constraints. The state and control variables are expanded in the Chebyshev polynomial of order N, and Chebyshev–Gauss–Lobatto (CGL) nodes are provided for approximating the system dynamics, boundary conditions, and performance index. For the lack

This paper presents a bi-level adaptive computed-current impedance controller for electrically driven robots. This study aims to reduce calculation complexities by utilizing the electrical equations of actuators, instead of the entire model of the electromechanical system. Moreover, taking the dynamical effects of mechanical parts into account through the current’s feedback, external disturbances are

In this paper we designed an optimal trajectory generation (OTG) method to generate easy and errorless continuous path motion with quick converging using Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) method. The proposed OTG method finds the trajectory path with minimum tracking error, combined speed, joint increasing speed wrinkle, as well as joint lurching move to follow an error-free smooth continuous path.

We present a 3D reconstruction method using brightness and camera motion estimation for registering local colon structure in colonoscopy. The proposed method is based on reverse projection from 2D fold contours to 3D space, motion estimation from 3D reconstructed points between neighboring frames, and model registration to reconstruct the fold structure. On the synthetic colon, the average percentages

In mobile robot localization with multiple sensors, myriad problems arise as a result of inadequacies associated with each of the individual sensors. In such cases, methodologies built upon the concept of multisensor fusion are well-known to provide optimal solutions and overcome issues such as sensor nonlinearities and uncertainties. Artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic (FL) approaches can effectively

Quadrotors are unmanned aerial vehicles with many potential applications ranging from mapping to supporting rescue operations. A key feature required for the use of these vehicles under complex conditions is a technique to analytically solve the problem of trajectory planning. Hence, this paper presents a heuristic approach for optimal path planning that the optimization strategy is based on the indirect