Virtual Reality-based Teleoperation with Robustness Against Modeling Errors

This article investigates virtual reality (VR)-based teleoperation with robustness against modeling errors. VR technology is an effective way to overcome the large time delay during space robot teleoperation. However, it depends highly on the accuracy of model. Model errors between the virtual and real environment exist inevitably. The existing way to deal with the problem is by means of either model matching or robot compliance control. As distinct from the existing methods, this article tries to combine model matching and robot compliance control. On one hand, the status of the virtual robot is corrected by using the position sensor data from robot joints before and during teleoperation, and the pose of the virtually manipulated object is obtained with visual recognition technology. On the other hand, compliance control algorithms of impedance control based on joint torque sensors and hybrid position/force control based on a wrist sensor have been executed in order to eliminate the small sustaining model errors. A VR-based teleoperation system of satellite on-orbit self-serving is built up. In order to verify the proposed method, an experiment deploying the solar panel troubled by malfunction is carried out through teleoperation. It shows that the large model errors are removed with the model matching method and the adopted compliance control is robust against the remaining small model errors.     

Three-line structured light vision system for non-cooperative satellites in proximity operations

Adapter ring is a commonly used component in non-cooperative satellites, which has high strength and is suitable to be recognized and grasped by the space manipulator. During proximity operations, this circle feature may be occluded by the robot arm or limited field of view. Moreover, the captured images may be underexposed when there is not enough illumination. To address these problems, this paper presents a structured light vision system with three line lasers and a monocular camera. The lasers project lines onto the surface of the satellite, and six break points are formed along both sides of the adapter ring. A closed-form solution for real-time pose estimation is given using these break points. Then, a virtual structured light platform is constructed to simulate synthetic images of the target satellite. Compared with the predefined camera parameters and relative positions, the proposed method is demonstrated to be more effective, especially at a close distance. Besides, a physical space verification system is set up to prove the effectiveness and robustness of our method under different light conditions. Experimental results indicate that it is a practical and effective method for the pose measurement of on-orbit tasks.     

Postcapture stabilization of space robots considering actuator failures with bounded torques

Space robotics is regarded as one of the most impressing approaches for space debris removal missions. Due to the residual momentum of debris, it is essential to stabilize the base rapidly after capture. This paper presents a novel control strategy for stabilization of a space robot in postcapture considering actuator failures and bounded torques. In the control strategy, the motion of the manipulator is not regarded as a disturbance to the base; in contrast, it is utilized to compensate for the limitation of the control torques by means of an inverse dynamical model of the system. Different scenarios where actuators are external mechanisms or momentum exchange devices have been carried out, and for actuator failures, both single- and two-actuator failures have been considered. Regarding to the performance of actuators, control torques are bounded. In cases that either single or two actuators have failed, the base can be stabilized kinematically when actuators are external mechanisms, but can only be stabilized dynamically when only momentum exchange devices are used. Finally, a space robot with a seven-degree-of-freedom manipulator in postcapture is studied to verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed control scheme. Simulation results show that the whole system can be stabilized rapidly.     

Control of a Spherical Robot: Path Following Based on Nonholonomic Kinematics and Dynamics

This paper presents the controller design for the path following of a spherical mobile robot,BHQ-1.Firstly,a desired velocity for the reference path is deduced from the kinematic model,which cannot be transformed into the classic chained form.Secondly,a necessary torque for the desired velocity is obtained based on the dynamic model.As to the kinematics,a one-dimensional function is selected to measure the two-directional tracking error,and the velocity of rolling forward is reasonably assumed to be constant;therefore the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is transformed into a single-input single-output (SISO) system.As to the dynamics,both exact dynamics and inexact dynamics with modeling error as well as bounded unknown disturbance are taken into account,based on which a proportional-derivative (PD) controller and a sliding mode controller with adaptive parameters are proposed respectively.Finally,convergence analysis and simulation results are provided to validate these controllers.     

可重构模块化机器人的构形设计

本文对模块机器人的结构进行了研究。并归纳出6种模块，其中包括3种关节模块。2种连杆模块和1种基座模块，同时还对3个自由度模块机器人的结构进行了设计。     

一种基于移动辅助节点的单兵导航系统协同初始化算法

惯性导航系统凭借其自主性强、隐蔽性好、可靠性高的优势,在单兵作战、反恐救援中发挥越来越重要的作用。针对单兵惯性导航系统精度较低,在长期工作后精度下降严重,需要重新初始化的问题,以单兵与无人平台的协同作业为背景,提出了一种基于移动式辅助节点的单兵导航系统协同快速初始化方法。该方法以目标节点的角增量、位移增量信息与测距信息作为输入,采用粒子滤波技术对单兵导航系统的位置和航向进行协同估计。试验表明,该算法最少仅需1个辅助节点即可实现较好的单兵惯导系统位置和航向初始化。     

新的坐标测量机及其施测方法

介绍高精坐标测量机、测量机器人的新技术、测量方法、测量精度及特殊功能。     

空间多功能在轨维护机器人系统及其末端执行器设计

空间机器人是空间在轨服务的一种重要工具。以合作目标与非合作目标的在轨维护为目的,通过对现有空间机器人研究现状的调研和分析,提出了基于末端工具可快换的多功能在轨维护机器人系统,并提出多种末端执行器设计方案。其中三指-三瓣式末端执行器作为末端工具快换装置,不仅具有机械接口捕获对接的功能,还具有电力/信号传输功能,以及机械臂动力传输功能;钢丝绳缠绕式末端执行器具有优越的容差和软捕获性能,适合用于实现对安装有捕获接口的合作目标以及非合作目标卫星发动机喷管的捕获;而欠驱动三指末端执行器具有良好的待捕获目标物体形状自适应功能以及软捕获功能,因此可用于对空间形状不规则的太空垃圾等目标进行非合作目标捕获。通过对多功能在轨维护机器人系统及其末端工具快换过程以及末端执行器对目标捕获操作的研究,所提出的基于末端工具快换的多功能在轨维护机器人系统有较好的应用前景。     

基于认知结构SOAR的机器人路径规划

针对环境未知、目标位置已知情况下机器人路径规划问题,提出了一种基于认知结构SOAR的探索方法。首先,结合箱子移动问题介绍了SOAR的基本概念及求解机制;其次,在讨论了人的行为模型和SOAR的决策过程基础上,设计了基于SOAR-Agent的行为建模方法;最后,利用本文提出的方法,设计长期知识,使机器人能够模拟人在未知动态环境下向目标搜索的行为。通过仿真实验,对比分析了长期知识的完备程度对机器人顺利完成任务的影响,同时也验证了该方法的有效性。     

四足机器人研究综述

凭借对恶劣地形的强适应性,四足机器人已经成为当今移动机器人研究的热点,其研究深具社会意义和实用价值。阐述了四足机器人的发展及研究现状,以具有代表性的四足机器人为据,从结构设计、控制方法和环境感知技术三个方面综合介绍了四足机器人系统,总结了四足机器人的关键技术及主要问题,最后给出了具有前瞻性的结论。