A method of topology synthesis based on graph theory and mechanism combination theory was applied to the configuration design of locomotion systems of lunar exploration rovers(LER).Through topology combination of whee...A method of topology synthesis based on graph theory and mechanism combination theory was applied to the configuration design of locomotion systems of lunar exploration rovers(LER).Through topology combination of wheel structural unit,suspension unit,and connecting device unit between suspension and load platform,some new locomotion system configurations were proposed and the metrics and indexes to evaluate the performance of the new locomotion system were analyzed.Performance evaluation and comparison between two LER with locomotion systems of different configurations were analyzed.The analysis results indicate that the new locomotion system configuration has good trafficability performance.展开更多
Inspired by the ubiquitous helical structures in nature,research on artificial helices has attracted increasing attention.As a unique and complex three-dimensional(3D)geometry in the microscopic world,the micro-/nano ...Inspired by the ubiquitous helical structures in nature,research on artificial helices has attracted increasing attention.As a unique and complex three-dimensional(3D)geometry in the microscopic world,the micro-/nano helix has significant advantages in wide applications due to its distinctive properties at the micro-scale.Micro-/nanotechnology is advancing rapidly.The geometric complexity of helical structure poses technical challenges for the manufacturing at the micro-/nanoscale,requiring some emerging manufacturing techniques.In this review,we systematically classify and summarize existing manufacturing methods for micro/nano helical structures and their underlying mechanisms.Based on the unique physical properties of helical structures at the microscale,their latest applications are analyzed across different fields.Finally,we conclude the challenges and future research directions of micro-/nano helices in manufacturing methods and applications.展开更多
The mobile sound source localization system is a technology that can track and locate mobile sound sources in real time and has broad application prospects in many fields.This article first provides an overview of the...The mobile sound source localization system is a technology that can track and locate mobile sound sources in real time and has broad application prospects in many fields.This article first provides an overview of the mobile sound source localization system,introducing its concept and composition,as well as its design and application significance.It elaborates on the importance of the mobile sound source localization system from multiple aspects,such as safety,production,and daily life,and deeply explores its design and application strategies.The problems faced by the mobile sound source localization system and its future development direction were pointed out.展开更多
Vision-based pose stabilization of nonholonomic mobile robots has received extensive attention. At present, most of the solutions of the problem do not take the robot dynamics into account in the controller design, so...Vision-based pose stabilization of nonholonomic mobile robots has received extensive attention. At present, most of the solutions of the problem do not take the robot dynamics into account in the controller design, so that these controllers are difficult to realize satisfactory control in practical application. Besides, many of the approaches suffer from the initial speed and torque jump which are not practical in the real world. Considering the kinematics and dynamics, a two-stage visual controller for solving the stabilization problem of a mobile robot is presented, applying the integration of adaptive control, sliding-mode control, and neural dynamics. In the first stage, an adaptive kinematic stabilization controller utilized to generate the command of velocity is developed based on Lyapunov theory. In the second stage, adopting the sliding-mode control approach, a dynamic controller with a variable speed function used to reduce the chattering is designed, which is utilized to generate the command of torque to make the actual velocity of the mobile robot asymptotically reach the desired velocity. Furthermore, to handle the speed and torque jump problems, the neural dynamics model is integrated into the above mentioned controllers. The stability of the proposed control system is analyzed by using Lyapunov theory. Finally, the simulation of the control law is implemented in perturbed case, and the results show that the control scheme can solve the stabilization problem effectively. The proposed control law can solve the speed and torque jump problems, overcome external disturbances, and provide a new solution for the vision-based stabilization of the mobile robot.展开更多
Soft robots have become important members of the robot community with many potential applications owing to their unique flexibility and security embedded at the material level.An increasing number of researchers are i...Soft robots have become important members of the robot community with many potential applications owing to their unique flexibility and security embedded at the material level.An increasing number of researchers are interested in their designing,manufacturing,modeling,and control.However,the dynamic simulation of soft robots is difficult owing to their infinite degrees of freedom and nonlinear characteristics that are associated with soft materials and flexible geometric structures.In this study,a novel multi-flexible body dynamic modeling and simulation technique is introduced for soft robots.Various actuators for soft robots are modeled in a virtual environment,including soft cable-driven,spring actuation,and pneumatic driving.A pneumatic driving simulation was demonstrated by the bending modules with different materials.A cable-driven soft robot arm prototype and a cylindrical soft module actuated by shape memory alley springs inspired by an octopus were manufactured and used to validate the simulation model,and the experimental results demonstrated adequate accuracy.The proposed technique can be widely applied for the modeling and dynamic simulation of other soft robots,including hybrid actuated robots and rigid-flexible coupling robots.This study also provides a fundamental framework for simulating soft mobile robots and soft manipulators in contact with the environment.展开更多
This paper investigates the problem of event-triggered H∞state estimation for Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy affine systems. The objective is to design an event-triggered scheme and an observer such that the resulting est...This paper investigates the problem of event-triggered H∞state estimation for Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy affine systems. The objective is to design an event-triggered scheme and an observer such that the resulting estimation error system is asymptotically stable with a prescribed H∞performance and at the same time unnecessary output measurement transmission can be reduced. First, an event-triggered scheme is proposed to determine whether the sampled measurements should be transmitted or not. The output measurements, which trigger the condition, are supposed to suffer a network-induced time-varying and bounded delay before arriving at the observer. Then, by adopting the input delay method, the estimation error system can be reformulated as a piecewise delay system. Based on the piecewise Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and the Finsler's lemma, the event-triggered H∞observer design method is developed. Moreover, an algorithm is proposed to co-design the observer gains and the event-triggering parameters to guarantee that the estimation error system is asymptotically stable with a given disturbance attenuation level and the signal transmission rate is reduced as much as possible. Simulation studies are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.展开更多
A new kind of eight-wheel lunar rover is developed, which is a complex closed-chain system and has good capabilities of climbing slope, surmounting obstacles and adapting to uneven terrain. In this paper, the mechanic...A new kind of eight-wheel lunar rover is developed, which is a complex closed-chain system and has good capabilities of climbing slope, surmounting obstacles and adapting to uneven terrain. In this paper, the mechanical structure of the novel eight-wheel lunar rover is introduced, forward and inverse kinematic models of the rover are established according to the closed-chain coordinate transformation and instantaneous coincidence coordinate. Based on structural characteristics, its kinetic characteristics are analyzed. Wheel slippages are separated and calculated, and a method for closed-loop control modification using wheel slip estimation during the model establishment is proposed. The results can be applied to the motion control of lunar rover.展开更多
Microscale metallic structures enhanced by additive manufacturing technology have attracted extensive attention especially in microelectronics and electromechanical devices.Meniscus-confined electrodeposition(MCED)adv...Microscale metallic structures enhanced by additive manufacturing technology have attracted extensive attention especially in microelectronics and electromechanical devices.Meniscus-confined electrodeposition(MCED)advances microscale 3D metal printing,enabling simpler fabrication of superior metallic microstructures in air without complex equipment or post-processing.However,accurately predicting growth rates with current MCED techniques remain challenging,which is essential for precise structure fabrication and preventing nozzle clogging.In this work,we present a novel approach to electrochemical 3D printing that utilizes a self-adjusting,voxelated method for fabricating metallic microstructures.Diverging from conventional voxelated printing which focuses on monitoring voxel thickness for structure control,this technique adopts a holistic strategy.It ensures each voxel’s position is in alignment with the final structure by synchronizing the micropipette’s trajectory during deposition with the intended design,thus facilitating self-regulation of voxel position and reducing errors associated with environmental fluctuations in deposition parameters.The method’s ability to print micropillars with various tilt angles,high density,and helical arrays demonstrates its refined control over the deposition process.Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals that the deposited structures,which are fabricated through layer-by-layer(voxel)printing,contain nanotwins that are widely known to enhance the material’s mechanical and electrical properties.Correspondingly,in situ scanning electron microscopy(SEM)microcompression tests confirm this enhancement,showing these structures exhibit a compressive yield strength exceeding 1 GPa.The indentation tests provided an average hardness of 3.71 GPa,which is the highest value reported in previous work using MCED.The resistivity measured by the four-point probe method was(1.95±0.01)×10^(−7)Ω·m,nearly 11 times that of bulk copper.These findings demonstrate the considerable advantage of this technique in fabricating complex metallic microstructures with enhanced mechanical properties,making it suitable for advanced applications in microsensors,microelectronics,and micro-electromechanical systems.展开更多
Capsule Robots(CRs)with active locomotion improve on the inefficiency of passive locomotion in capsule endoscopes,showing great potential for clinical use.However,despite the development of various CR types,efficient ...Capsule Robots(CRs)with active locomotion improve on the inefficiency of passive locomotion in capsule endoscopes,showing great potential for clinical use.However,despite the development of various CR types,efficient locomotion and functional integration remain challenges due to space limitations and increasing demands.Additionally,many CRs are overly complex,so simplifying their structure while maintaining functionality is essential.This paper presents a novel magnetically actuated CR with two internal permanent magnets for oscillating locomotion and anchoring,along with a Shape Memory Alloy(SMA)-driven actuator for biopsy sampling.Compared to existing CRs,this design simplifies the structure while ensuring biopsy functionality and leaving space for a micro-CCD.The robot’s dynamics are modeled to guide its structural design and locomotion strategy.SMA characteristics are also examined to optimize the biopsy module’s parameters,improving efficiency and success rates.The CR undergoes experiments to assess safety,locomotion performance,and functionality,with results showing stable steering,and advantages in driving height,speed,and accuracy.Finally,the CR’s biopsy capabilities are validated in a gastric model and ex vivo stomach.This work offers a novel solution for gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and treatment,enhancing the application of CRs in biomedical engineering.展开更多
Bio-inspired magnetic helical microrobots have great potential for biomedical and micromanipulation applications. Precise interaction with objects in liquid environments is an important prerequisite and challenge for ...Bio-inspired magnetic helical microrobots have great potential for biomedical and micromanipulation applications. Precise interaction with objects in liquid environments is an important prerequisite and challenge for helical microrobots to perform various tasks. In this study, an automatic control method is proposed to realize the axial docking of helical microrobots with arbitrarily placed cylindrical objects in liquid environments. The docking process is divided into ascent, approach, alignment, and insertion stages. First, a 3D docking path is planned according to the positions and orientations of the microrobot and the target object. Second, a steering-based 3D path-following controller guides the helical microrobot to rise away from the container bottom and approach the target along the path. Third, based on path design with gravity compensation and steering output limits, alignment of position and orientation can be accomplished simultaneously. Finally, the helical microrobot completes the docking under the rotating magnetic field along the target orientation. Experiments verified the automatic docking of the helical microrobot with static targets, including connecting with micro-shafts and inserting into micro-tubes. The object grasping of a reconfigurable helical microrobot aided by 3D automatic docking was also demonstrated. This method enables precise docking of helical microrobots with objects, which might be used for capture and sampling, in vivo navigation control, and functional assembly of microrobots.展开更多
In expression recognition, feature representation is critical for successful recognition since it contains distinctive information of expressions. In this paper, a new approach for representing facial expression featu...In expression recognition, feature representation is critical for successful recognition since it contains distinctive information of expressions. In this paper, a new approach for representing facial expression features is proposed with its objective to describe features in an effective and efficient way in order to improve the recognition performance. The method combines the facial action coding system(FACS) and 'uniform' local binary patterns(LBP) to represent facial expression features from coarse to fine. The facial feature regions are extracted by active shape models(ASM) based on FACS to obtain the gray-level texture. Then, LBP is used to represent expression features for enhancing the discriminant. A facial expression recognition system is developed based on this feature extraction method by using K nearest neighborhood(K-NN) classifier to recognize facial expressions. Finally, experiments are carried out to evaluate this feature extraction method. The significance of removing the unrelated facial regions and enhancing the discrimination ability of expression features in the recognition process is indicated by the results, in addition to its convenience.展开更多
The model of heat source(MHS) which reflects the thermal interaction between materials and laser during processing determines the accuracy of simulation results. To acquire desirable simulations results, although vari...The model of heat source(MHS) which reflects the thermal interaction between materials and laser during processing determines the accuracy of simulation results. To acquire desirable simulations results, although various modifications of heat sources in the aspect of absorption process of laser by materials have been purposed, the distribution of laser power density(DLPD) in MHS is still modeled theoretically. However, in the actual situations of laser processing, the DLPD is definitely different from the ideal models. So, it is indispensable to build MHS using actual DLPD to improve the accuracy of simulation results. Besides, an automatic modeling method will be benefit to simplify the tedious pre-processing of simulations. This paper presents a modeling method and corresponding algorithm to model heat source using measured DLPD. This algorithm automatically processes original data to get modeling parameters and provides a step MHS combining with absorption models. Simulations and experiments of heat transfer in steel plates irradiated by laser prove the mothed and the step MHS. Moreover, the investigations of laser induced thermal-crack propagation in glass highlight the signification of modeling heat source based on actual DLPD and demonstrate the enormous application of this method in the simulation of laser processing.展开更多
The reusable launch vehicle (RLV) presents a new avenue for reducing cost of space transportation. The landing mechanism, which provides landing support and impact absorption, is a vital component of the RLV at final ...The reusable launch vehicle (RLV) presents a new avenue for reducing cost of space transportation. The landing mechanism, which provides landing support and impact absorption, is a vital component of the RLV at final stage of recovery. This study proposes a novel legged deployable landing mechanism (LDLM) for RLV. The Watt-II six-bar mechanism is adopted to obtain the preferred configuration via the application of the linkage variation approach. To endow the proposed LDLM with advantages of large landing support region, lightweight, and reasonable linkage internal forces, a multi-objective optimization paradigm is developed. Furthermore, the optimal scale parameters for guiding the LDLM prototype design is obtained numerically using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) evolutionary algorithm. A fully-functional scaled RLV prototype is developed by integrating the gravity-governed deploying scheme to facilitate unfolding action to avoid full-range actuation, a dual-backup locking mechanism to enhance reliability of structure stiffening as fully deployed, and a shock absorber (SA) with multistage honeycomb to offer reliable shock absorbing performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LDLM is capable of providing rapid and smooth deployment (duration less than 1.5 s) with mild posture disturbance to the cabin (yaw and pitch fluctuations less than 6°). In addition, it provides satisfactory impact attenuation (acceleration peak less than 10g (g is the gravitational acceleration)) in the 0.2 m freefall test, which makes the proposed LDLM a potential alternative for developing future RLV archetype.展开更多
Taking advantage of their inherent dexterity,robotic arms are competent in completing many tasks efficiently.As a result of the modeling complexity and kinematic uncertainty of robotic arms,model-free control paradigm...Taking advantage of their inherent dexterity,robotic arms are competent in completing many tasks efficiently.As a result of the modeling complexity and kinematic uncertainty of robotic arms,model-free control paradigm has been proposed and investigated extensively.However,robust model-free control of robotic arms in the presence of noise interference remains a problem worth studying.In this paper,we first propose a new kind of zeroing neural network(ZNN),i.e.,integration-enhanced noise-tolerant ZNN(IENT-ZNN)with integration-enhanced noisetolerant capability.Then,a unified dual IENT-ZNN scheme based on the proposed IENT-ZNN is presented for the kinematic control problem of both rigid-link and continuum robotic arms,which improves the performance of robotic arms with the disturbance of noise,without knowing the structural parameters of the robotic arms.The finite-time convergence and robustness of the proposed control scheme are proven by theoretical analysis.Finally,simulation studies and experimental demonstrations verify that the proposed control scheme is feasible in the kinematic control of different robotic arms and can achieve better results in terms of accuracy and robustness.展开更多
The paraboloidal membrane shell with free boundary condition is actively controlled using photostrictive actuators which can provide contactless actuation under the illumination of ultraviolet light. The governing equ...The paraboloidal membrane shell with free boundary condition is actively controlled using photostrictive actuators which can provide contactless actuation under the illumination of ultraviolet light. The governing equations of the paraboloidal shell laminated with paired photostrictive actuators are established based on membrane approximation. The modal control actions of meridional/circumferential actuators are respectively formulated and evaluated by case studies. Constant light intensity related to the velocity of the shell is adopted, and then the governing equations are written in a closed-loop form which can be solved with Newmark-β method. Considering the multi-field coupling behavior of photostrictive actuators, time histories of transverse displacement and control light intensity are simulated and evaluated. The results show that photostrictive actuators can effectively control the vibration of the paraboloidal membrane shell, and the photostrictive actuators oriented along circumferential direction can give better control effect than photostrictive actuators placed along the meridional direction.展开更多
Biomimetic robotics and intelligence,which draws inspiration from biological systems,is an emerging field that bridges biology,engineering,and artificial intelligence.By replicating biological structures,behaviors,and...Biomimetic robotics and intelligence,which draws inspiration from biological systems,is an emerging field that bridges biology,engineering,and artificial intelligence.By replicating biological structures,behaviors,and sensory systems,biomimetic robotics are designed to operate effectively in diverse environments,such as humanoid robots for domestic use,quadruped robots for uneven terrains,and aerial robots for navigation through confined spaces.Biomimetic intelligence,grounded in the study of natural cognitive processes,has led to the development of advanced algorithms like genetic algorithms and neural networks,which optimize problem‐solving and decision‐making in robotic systems.These innovations enhance the capabilities of bio-mimetic robots,enabling them to perform complex tasks autonomously and adapt to dynamic conditions.This survey provides an overview of the latest advancements in biomimetic robotics and intelligence,focusing on key areas such as biomimetic robots,sensors and sensing technologies,and intelligence algorithms.It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines potential directions for future research.展开更多
Virtual reality(VR)technology revitalises rehabilitation training by creating rich,interactive virtual rehabilitation scenes and tasks that deeply engage patients.Robotics with immersive VR environments have the poten...Virtual reality(VR)technology revitalises rehabilitation training by creating rich,interactive virtual rehabilitation scenes and tasks that deeply engage patients.Robotics with immersive VR environments have the potential to significantly enhance the sense of immersion for patients during training.This paper proposes a rehabilitation robot system.The system integrates a VR environment,the exoskeleton entity,and research on rehabilitation assessment metrics derived from surface electromyographic signal(sEMG).Employing more realistic and engaging virtual stimuli,this method guides patients to actively participate,thereby enhancing the effectiveness of neural connection reconstruction—an essential aspect of rehabilitation.Furthermore,this study introduces a muscle activation model that merges linear and non-linear states of muscle,avoiding the impact of non-linear shape factors on model accuracy present in traditional models.A muscle strength assessment model based on optimised generalised regression(WOAGRNN)is also proposed,with a root mean square error of 0.017,347 and a mean absolute percentage error of 1.2461%,serving as critical assessment indicators for the effectiveness of rehabilitation.Finally,the system is preliminarily applied in human movement experiments,validating the practicality and potential effectiveness of VRcentred rehabilitation strategies in medical recovery.展开更多
Segmentation of demonstration trajectories and learning the contained motion primitives can effectively enhance the assistive robot's intelligence to flexibly reproduce learnt tasks in an unstructured environment....Segmentation of demonstration trajectories and learning the contained motion primitives can effectively enhance the assistive robot's intelligence to flexibly reproduce learnt tasks in an unstructured environment.With the aim to conveniently and accurately segment demonstration trajectories,a novel demonstration trajectory segmentation approach is proposed based on the beta process autoregressive hidden Markov model(BP-ARHMM)algorithm and generalised time warping(GTW)algorithm aiming to enhance the segmentation accuracy utilising acquired demonstration data.This approach first adopts the GTW algorithm to align the multiple demonstration trajectories for the same task.Then,it adopts the BP-AR-HMM algorithm to segment the demonstration trajectories,acquire the contained motion primitives,and establish the related task library.This segmentation approach is validated on the 6-degree-of-freedom JACO robotic arm by assisting users to accomplish a holding water glass task and an eating task.The experimental results show that the motion primitives within the trajectories can be correctly segmented with a high segmentation accuracy.展开更多
A parallel wheelset suspension(PWS)designed for a heavy-duty lunar vehicle,specifically for a multi-wheeled pressurized lunar rover(MWPLR),is beneficial for adapting wheels to rough terrain and absorbing vertical vibr...A parallel wheelset suspension(PWS)designed for a heavy-duty lunar vehicle,specifically for a multi-wheeled pressurized lunar rover(MWPLR),is beneficial for adapting wheels to rough terrain and absorbing vertical vibrations passively.It is a 2-degree-of-freedom spatial parallel mechanism.However,when a lunar vehicle is driven over rough terrain,the wheelset alignment parameters of the PWS vary substantially,resulting in poor wheel-to-ground contact.This paper aims to address these problems.It first presented a PWS design approach,used simulations to confirm the correctness of the kinematic model,evaluated the initial suspension performance,and established an optimization objective.We then analyzed the suspension’s instantaneous screw axis variations as the wheelset crossed the obstacle.The results help us determine the causes and optimization variables that affect the alignment parameters.Finally,based on the kinematic and simulation analysis methods,the optimized suspension ensured that the variation in the camber,toe,and inclination angle of the steering axis would be[-1°,-1°]when the MWPLR crossed a 0.4 m high obstacle.The simulation demonstrated that the PWS improved the ride comfort of the MWPLR and that the optimized PWS enhanced the straight-line drivability and flexible steering capability of the MWPLR.PWS and its design methodology provide a design reference for other multi-wheeled rovers.展开更多
基金Supported by National "863" High-Tech Program (No.2006AA04Z231)Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems (No.SKLRS-200801A02)+1 种基金the College Discipline Innovation Wisdom Plan (No.B07018)Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (No.ZJG0709)
文摘A method of topology synthesis based on graph theory and mechanism combination theory was applied to the configuration design of locomotion systems of lunar exploration rovers(LER).Through topology combination of wheel structural unit,suspension unit,and connecting device unit between suspension and load platform,some new locomotion system configurations were proposed and the metrics and indexes to evaluate the performance of the new locomotion system were analyzed.Performance evaluation and comparison between two LER with locomotion systems of different configurations were analyzed.The analysis results indicate that the new locomotion system configuration has good trafficability performance.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFB4701200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52335003,52405011 and U22A20176)+3 种基金the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant Nos.2022B1515120078 and 2023A1515110313)the Shenzhen Natural Science Fund(the Stable Support Plan Program,Grant No.GXWD20231129161359002)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(Grant No.KQTD20210811090146075)Pre-research Task of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems(HIT)(Grant No.SKLRS202421B).
文摘Inspired by the ubiquitous helical structures in nature,research on artificial helices has attracted increasing attention.As a unique and complex three-dimensional(3D)geometry in the microscopic world,the micro-/nano helix has significant advantages in wide applications due to its distinctive properties at the micro-scale.Micro-/nanotechnology is advancing rapidly.The geometric complexity of helical structure poses technical challenges for the manufacturing at the micro-/nanoscale,requiring some emerging manufacturing techniques.In this review,we systematically classify and summarize existing manufacturing methods for micro/nano helical structures and their underlying mechanisms.Based on the unique physical properties of helical structures at the microscale,their latest applications are analyzed across different fields.Finally,we conclude the challenges and future research directions of micro-/nano helices in manufacturing methods and applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2013602).
文摘The mobile sound source localization system is a technology that can track and locate mobile sound sources in real time and has broad application prospects in many fields.This article first provides an overview of the mobile sound source localization system,introducing its concept and composition,as well as its design and application significance.It elaborates on the importance of the mobile sound source localization system from multiple aspects,such as safety,production,and daily life,and deeply explores its design and application strategies.The problems faced by the mobile sound source localization system and its future development direction were pointed out.
基金supported by National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (973 Program,Grant No. 2009CB320602)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 60834004,61025018)+2 种基金National Science and Technology Major Project of China(Grant No. 2011ZX02504-008)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. ZZ1222)Key Laboratory of Advanced Engineering Surveying of NASMG of China (Grant No.TJES1106)
文摘Vision-based pose stabilization of nonholonomic mobile robots has received extensive attention. At present, most of the solutions of the problem do not take the robot dynamics into account in the controller design, so that these controllers are difficult to realize satisfactory control in practical application. Besides, many of the approaches suffer from the initial speed and torque jump which are not practical in the real world. Considering the kinematics and dynamics, a two-stage visual controller for solving the stabilization problem of a mobile robot is presented, applying the integration of adaptive control, sliding-mode control, and neural dynamics. In the first stage, an adaptive kinematic stabilization controller utilized to generate the command of velocity is developed based on Lyapunov theory. In the second stage, adopting the sliding-mode control approach, a dynamic controller with a variable speed function used to reduce the chattering is designed, which is utilized to generate the command of torque to make the actual velocity of the mobile robot asymptotically reach the desired velocity. Furthermore, to handle the speed and torque jump problems, the neural dynamics model is integrated into the above mentioned controllers. The stability of the proposed control system is analyzed by using Lyapunov theory. Finally, the simulation of the control law is implemented in perturbed case, and the results show that the control scheme can solve the stabilization problem effectively. The proposed control law can solve the speed and torque jump problems, overcome external disturbances, and provide a new solution for the vision-based stabilization of the mobile robot.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51822502 and 91948202)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2019YFB1309500)the“111 Project”(Grant No.B07018).
文摘Soft robots have become important members of the robot community with many potential applications owing to their unique flexibility and security embedded at the material level.An increasing number of researchers are interested in their designing,manufacturing,modeling,and control.However,the dynamic simulation of soft robots is difficult owing to their infinite degrees of freedom and nonlinear characteristics that are associated with soft materials and flexible geometric structures.In this study,a novel multi-flexible body dynamic modeling and simulation technique is introduced for soft robots.Various actuators for soft robots are modeled in a virtual environment,including soft cable-driven,spring actuation,and pneumatic driving.A pneumatic driving simulation was demonstrated by the bending modules with different materials.A cable-driven soft robot arm prototype and a cylindrical soft module actuated by shape memory alley springs inspired by an octopus were manufactured and used to validate the simulation model,and the experimental results demonstrated adequate accuracy.The proposed technique can be widely applied for the modeling and dynamic simulation of other soft robots,including hybrid actuated robots and rigid-flexible coupling robots.This study also provides a fundamental framework for simulating soft mobile robots and soft manipulators in contact with the environment.
基金Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (No. CityU-11211818)the Self-Planned Task of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems of Harbin Institute of Technology (No. SKLRS201801A03)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61873311).
文摘This paper investigates the problem of event-triggered H∞state estimation for Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy affine systems. The objective is to design an event-triggered scheme and an observer such that the resulting estimation error system is asymptotically stable with a prescribed H∞performance and at the same time unnecessary output measurement transmission can be reduced. First, an event-triggered scheme is proposed to determine whether the sampled measurements should be transmitted or not. The output measurements, which trigger the condition, are supposed to suffer a network-induced time-varying and bounded delay before arriving at the observer. Then, by adopting the input delay method, the estimation error system can be reformulated as a piecewise delay system. Based on the piecewise Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and the Finsler's lemma, the event-triggered H∞observer design method is developed. Moreover, an algorithm is proposed to co-design the observer gains and the event-triggering parameters to guarantee that the estimation error system is asymptotically stable with a given disturbance attenuation level and the signal transmission rate is reduced as much as possible. Simulation studies are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
基金Sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.50975059)the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(Grant No.2006AA04Z231)+1 种基金the College Discipline Innovation Wisdom Plan(Grant No.B07018)Development Program of the Excellent Youth Scholars of Harbin Institute of Technology(Grant No.CACZ98504837)
文摘A new kind of eight-wheel lunar rover is developed, which is a complex closed-chain system and has good capabilities of climbing slope, surmounting obstacles and adapting to uneven terrain. In this paper, the mechanical structure of the novel eight-wheel lunar rover is introduced, forward and inverse kinematic models of the rover are established according to the closed-chain coordinate transformation and instantaneous coincidence coordinate. Based on structural characteristics, its kinetic characteristics are analyzed. Wheel slippages are separated and calculated, and a method for closed-loop control modification using wheel slip estimation during the model establishment is proposed. The results can be applied to the motion control of lunar rover.
基金supported in part by National Key R&D Program of China under Grant 2023YFB4705600in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants 61925304,62127810 and 62203138+1 种基金in part by the National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents under Grant BX20200107in part by the Self-Planned Task(No.SKLRS202205C)of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System(HIT).
文摘Microscale metallic structures enhanced by additive manufacturing technology have attracted extensive attention especially in microelectronics and electromechanical devices.Meniscus-confined electrodeposition(MCED)advances microscale 3D metal printing,enabling simpler fabrication of superior metallic microstructures in air without complex equipment or post-processing.However,accurately predicting growth rates with current MCED techniques remain challenging,which is essential for precise structure fabrication and preventing nozzle clogging.In this work,we present a novel approach to electrochemical 3D printing that utilizes a self-adjusting,voxelated method for fabricating metallic microstructures.Diverging from conventional voxelated printing which focuses on monitoring voxel thickness for structure control,this technique adopts a holistic strategy.It ensures each voxel’s position is in alignment with the final structure by synchronizing the micropipette’s trajectory during deposition with the intended design,thus facilitating self-regulation of voxel position and reducing errors associated with environmental fluctuations in deposition parameters.The method’s ability to print micropillars with various tilt angles,high density,and helical arrays demonstrates its refined control over the deposition process.Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals that the deposited structures,which are fabricated through layer-by-layer(voxel)printing,contain nanotwins that are widely known to enhance the material’s mechanical and electrical properties.Correspondingly,in situ scanning electron microscopy(SEM)microcompression tests confirm this enhancement,showing these structures exhibit a compressive yield strength exceeding 1 GPa.The indentation tests provided an average hardness of 3.71 GPa,which is the highest value reported in previous work using MCED.The resistivity measured by the four-point probe method was(1.95±0.01)×10^(−7)Ω·m,nearly 11 times that of bulk copper.These findings demonstrate the considerable advantage of this technique in fabricating complex metallic microstructures with enhanced mechanical properties,making it suitable for advanced applications in microsensors,microelectronics,and micro-electromechanical systems.
基金supported in part by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant number 2023YFB4705600)in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China(Grant number YQ2024F011)in part by the Pre-research Task of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems(HIT)(Grant number SKLRS202419B).
文摘Capsule Robots(CRs)with active locomotion improve on the inefficiency of passive locomotion in capsule endoscopes,showing great potential for clinical use.However,despite the development of various CR types,efficient locomotion and functional integration remain challenges due to space limitations and increasing demands.Additionally,many CRs are overly complex,so simplifying their structure while maintaining functionality is essential.This paper presents a novel magnetically actuated CR with two internal permanent magnets for oscillating locomotion and anchoring,along with a Shape Memory Alloy(SMA)-driven actuator for biopsy sampling.Compared to existing CRs,this design simplifies the structure while ensuring biopsy functionality and leaving space for a micro-CCD.The robot’s dynamics are modeled to guide its structural design and locomotion strategy.SMA characteristics are also examined to optimize the biopsy module’s parameters,improving efficiency and success rates.The CR undergoes experiments to assess safety,locomotion performance,and functionality,with results showing stable steering,and advantages in driving height,speed,and accuracy.Finally,the CR’s biopsy capabilities are validated in a gastric model and ex vivo stomach.This work offers a novel solution for gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and treatment,enhancing the application of CRs in biomedical engineering.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62273117)Pre-research Task(No.SKLRS202418B)of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems(HIT).
文摘Bio-inspired magnetic helical microrobots have great potential for biomedical and micromanipulation applications. Precise interaction with objects in liquid environments is an important prerequisite and challenge for helical microrobots to perform various tasks. In this study, an automatic control method is proposed to realize the axial docking of helical microrobots with arbitrarily placed cylindrical objects in liquid environments. The docking process is divided into ascent, approach, alignment, and insertion stages. First, a 3D docking path is planned according to the positions and orientations of the microrobot and the target object. Second, a steering-based 3D path-following controller guides the helical microrobot to rise away from the container bottom and approach the target along the path. Third, based on path design with gravity compensation and steering output limits, alignment of position and orientation can be accomplished simultaneously. Finally, the helical microrobot completes the docking under the rotating magnetic field along the target orientation. Experiments verified the automatic docking of the helical microrobot with static targets, including connecting with micro-shafts and inserting into micro-tubes. The object grasping of a reconfigurable helical microrobot aided by 3D automatic docking was also demonstrated. This method enables precise docking of helical microrobots with objects, which might be used for capture and sampling, in vivo navigation control, and functional assembly of microrobots.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61273339)
文摘In expression recognition, feature representation is critical for successful recognition since it contains distinctive information of expressions. In this paper, a new approach for representing facial expression features is proposed with its objective to describe features in an effective and efficient way in order to improve the recognition performance. The method combines the facial action coding system(FACS) and 'uniform' local binary patterns(LBP) to represent facial expression features from coarse to fine. The facial feature regions are extracted by active shape models(ASM) based on FACS to obtain the gray-level texture. Then, LBP is used to represent expression features for enhancing the discriminant. A facial expression recognition system is developed based on this feature extraction method by using K nearest neighborhood(K-NN) classifier to recognize facial expressions. Finally, experiments are carried out to evaluate this feature extraction method. The significance of removing the unrelated facial regions and enhancing the discrimination ability of expression features in the recognition process is indicated by the results, in addition to its convenience.
基金Project(2021YFF0500200) supported by the National Key R&D Program of ChinaProject(52105437) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China+1 种基金Project(202006120184) supported by the Heilongjiang Provincial Postdoctoral Science Foundation,ChinaProject(LBH-Z20054) supported by the China Scholarship Council。
文摘The model of heat source(MHS) which reflects the thermal interaction between materials and laser during processing determines the accuracy of simulation results. To acquire desirable simulations results, although various modifications of heat sources in the aspect of absorption process of laser by materials have been purposed, the distribution of laser power density(DLPD) in MHS is still modeled theoretically. However, in the actual situations of laser processing, the DLPD is definitely different from the ideal models. So, it is indispensable to build MHS using actual DLPD to improve the accuracy of simulation results. Besides, an automatic modeling method will be benefit to simplify the tedious pre-processing of simulations. This paper presents a modeling method and corresponding algorithm to model heat source using measured DLPD. This algorithm automatically processes original data to get modeling parameters and provides a step MHS combining with absorption models. Simulations and experiments of heat transfer in steel plates irradiated by laser prove the mothed and the step MHS. Moreover, the investigations of laser induced thermal-crack propagation in glass highlight the signification of modeling heat source based on actual DLPD and demonstrate the enormous application of this method in the simulation of laser processing.
文摘The reusable launch vehicle (RLV) presents a new avenue for reducing cost of space transportation. The landing mechanism, which provides landing support and impact absorption, is a vital component of the RLV at final stage of recovery. This study proposes a novel legged deployable landing mechanism (LDLM) for RLV. The Watt-II six-bar mechanism is adopted to obtain the preferred configuration via the application of the linkage variation approach. To endow the proposed LDLM with advantages of large landing support region, lightweight, and reasonable linkage internal forces, a multi-objective optimization paradigm is developed. Furthermore, the optimal scale parameters for guiding the LDLM prototype design is obtained numerically using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) evolutionary algorithm. A fully-functional scaled RLV prototype is developed by integrating the gravity-governed deploying scheme to facilitate unfolding action to avoid full-range actuation, a dual-backup locking mechanism to enhance reliability of structure stiffening as fully deployed, and a shock absorber (SA) with multistage honeycomb to offer reliable shock absorbing performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LDLM is capable of providing rapid and smooth deployment (duration less than 1.5 s) with mild posture disturbance to the cabin (yaw and pitch fluctuations less than 6°). In addition, it provides satisfactory impact attenuation (acceleration peak less than 10g (g is the gravitational acceleration)) in the 0.2 m freefall test, which makes the proposed LDLM a potential alternative for developing future RLV archetype.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62173352,62103112)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2021A1515012314)+1 种基金the Open Project of Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society(AC01202005006)the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangzhou(202007030004)。
文摘Taking advantage of their inherent dexterity,robotic arms are competent in completing many tasks efficiently.As a result of the modeling complexity and kinematic uncertainty of robotic arms,model-free control paradigm has been proposed and investigated extensively.However,robust model-free control of robotic arms in the presence of noise interference remains a problem worth studying.In this paper,we first propose a new kind of zeroing neural network(ZNN),i.e.,integration-enhanced noise-tolerant ZNN(IENT-ZNN)with integration-enhanced noisetolerant capability.Then,a unified dual IENT-ZNN scheme based on the proposed IENT-ZNN is presented for the kinematic control problem of both rigid-link and continuum robotic arms,which improves the performance of robotic arms with the disturbance of noise,without knowing the structural parameters of the robotic arms.The finite-time convergence and robustness of the proposed control scheme are proven by theoretical analysis.Finally,simulation studies and experimental demonstrations verify that the proposed control scheme is feasible in the kinematic control of different robotic arms and can achieve better results in terms of accuracy and robustness.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50705017)the "111 Project" (No. B07018)
文摘The paraboloidal membrane shell with free boundary condition is actively controlled using photostrictive actuators which can provide contactless actuation under the illumination of ultraviolet light. The governing equations of the paraboloidal shell laminated with paired photostrictive actuators are established based on membrane approximation. The modal control actions of meridional/circumferential actuators are respectively formulated and evaluated by case studies. Constant light intensity related to the velocity of the shell is adopted, and then the governing equations are written in a closed-loop form which can be solved with Newmark-β method. Considering the multi-field coupling behavior of photostrictive actuators, time histories of transverse displacement and control light intensity are simulated and evaluated. The results show that photostrictive actuators can effectively control the vibration of the paraboloidal membrane shell, and the photostrictive actuators oriented along circumferential direction can give better control effect than photostrictive actuators placed along the meridional direction.
基金supported in part by the National Key Research and Development Program of China under Grant 2022YFB4700200in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants 52275013 and 62403170in part by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program under Grant GXWD20231129102014001.
文摘Biomimetic robotics and intelligence,which draws inspiration from biological systems,is an emerging field that bridges biology,engineering,and artificial intelligence.By replicating biological structures,behaviors,and sensory systems,biomimetic robotics are designed to operate effectively in diverse environments,such as humanoid robots for domestic use,quadruped robots for uneven terrains,and aerial robots for navigation through confined spaces.Biomimetic intelligence,grounded in the study of natural cognitive processes,has led to the development of advanced algorithms like genetic algorithms and neural networks,which optimize problem‐solving and decision‐making in robotic systems.These innovations enhance the capabilities of bio-mimetic robots,enabling them to perform complex tasks autonomously and adapt to dynamic conditions.This survey provides an overview of the latest advancements in biomimetic robotics and intelligence,focusing on key areas such as biomimetic robots,sensors and sensing technologies,and intelligence algorithms.It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines potential directions for future research.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2022YFB4700701National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:52025054。
文摘Virtual reality(VR)technology revitalises rehabilitation training by creating rich,interactive virtual rehabilitation scenes and tasks that deeply engage patients.Robotics with immersive VR environments have the potential to significantly enhance the sense of immersion for patients during training.This paper proposes a rehabilitation robot system.The system integrates a VR environment,the exoskeleton entity,and research on rehabilitation assessment metrics derived from surface electromyographic signal(sEMG).Employing more realistic and engaging virtual stimuli,this method guides patients to actively participate,thereby enhancing the effectiveness of neural connection reconstruction—an essential aspect of rehabilitation.Furthermore,this study introduces a muscle activation model that merges linear and non-linear states of muscle,avoiding the impact of non-linear shape factors on model accuracy present in traditional models.A muscle strength assessment model based on optimised generalised regression(WOAGRNN)is also proposed,with a root mean square error of 0.017,347 and a mean absolute percentage error of 1.2461%,serving as critical assessment indicators for the effectiveness of rehabilitation.Finally,the system is preliminarily applied in human movement experiments,validating the practicality and potential effectiveness of VRcentred rehabilitation strategies in medical recovery.
基金Doctoral Research Start-up Fund of Shandong Jiaotong University,Grant/Award Number:BS2024009Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China,Grant/Award Number:ZR2022ME087+1 种基金State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems(HIT),Grant/Award Number:SKLRS-2024-KF-09Open Access Publication Fund of Universität Hamburg。
文摘Segmentation of demonstration trajectories and learning the contained motion primitives can effectively enhance the assistive robot's intelligence to flexibly reproduce learnt tasks in an unstructured environment.With the aim to conveniently and accurately segment demonstration trajectories,a novel demonstration trajectory segmentation approach is proposed based on the beta process autoregressive hidden Markov model(BP-ARHMM)algorithm and generalised time warping(GTW)algorithm aiming to enhance the segmentation accuracy utilising acquired demonstration data.This approach first adopts the GTW algorithm to align the multiple demonstration trajectories for the same task.Then,it adopts the BP-AR-HMM algorithm to segment the demonstration trajectories,acquire the contained motion primitives,and establish the related task library.This segmentation approach is validated on the 6-degree-of-freedom JACO robotic arm by assisting users to accomplish a holding water glass task and an eating task.The experimental results show that the motion primitives within the trajectories can be correctly segmented with a high segmentation accuracy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.T2388101 and U23A20614)the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51521003)+2 种基金the“111”Project,China(Project No.B07018)the Harbin Institute of Technology(HIT)Key Project Research and Development Grant,China(Grant No.HIT2021005)the Self-Planned Task of State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System,HIT,China(Grant No.SKLRS202101A02).
文摘A parallel wheelset suspension(PWS)designed for a heavy-duty lunar vehicle,specifically for a multi-wheeled pressurized lunar rover(MWPLR),is beneficial for adapting wheels to rough terrain and absorbing vertical vibrations passively.It is a 2-degree-of-freedom spatial parallel mechanism.However,when a lunar vehicle is driven over rough terrain,the wheelset alignment parameters of the PWS vary substantially,resulting in poor wheel-to-ground contact.This paper aims to address these problems.It first presented a PWS design approach,used simulations to confirm the correctness of the kinematic model,evaluated the initial suspension performance,and established an optimization objective.We then analyzed the suspension’s instantaneous screw axis variations as the wheelset crossed the obstacle.The results help us determine the causes and optimization variables that affect the alignment parameters.Finally,based on the kinematic and simulation analysis methods,the optimized suspension ensured that the variation in the camber,toe,and inclination angle of the steering axis would be[-1°,-1°]when the MWPLR crossed a 0.4 m high obstacle.The simulation demonstrated that the PWS improved the ride comfort of the MWPLR and that the optimized PWS enhanced the straight-line drivability and flexible steering capability of the MWPLR.PWS and its design methodology provide a design reference for other multi-wheeled rovers.
