Impedance Control Research Articles

Curriculum Design and Sim2Real Transfer for Reinforcement Learning in Robotic Dual-Arm Assembly

Robotic systems are crucial in modern manufacturing. Complex assembly tasks require the collaboration of multiple robots. Their orchestration is challenging due to tight tolerances and precision requirements. In this work, we set up two Franka Panda robots performing a peg-in-hole insertion task of 1 mm clearance. We structure the control system hierarchically, planning the robots’ feedback-based trajectories with a central policy trained with reinforcement learning. These trajectories are executed by a low-level impedance controller on each robot. To enhance training convergence, we use reverse curriculum learning, novel for such a two-armed control task, iteratively structured with a minimum requirements and fine-tuning phase. We incorporate domain randomization, varying initial joint configurations of the task for generalization of the applicability. After training, we test the system in a simulation, discovering the impact of curriculum parameters on the emerging process time and its variance. Finally, we transfer the trained model to the real-world, resulting in a small decrease in task duration. Comparing our approach to classical path planning and control shows a decrease in process time, but higher robustness towards calibration errors.

Designing a robot-assisted rehabilitation system for hand function recovery using virtual reality and haptic robot

It is well understood that motor dysfunctions in patients can be restored through a certain amount of repetitive training. Robots and virtual reality offer an excellent solution to incentivize and optimize training intensity while also reducing the workload for therapists. In this paper, leveraging virtual reality technologies and haptic robots, we have developed a cost-effective robot-assisted training system and three training exercises for hand rehabilitation. The Unity game engine was utilized to create training scenarios where hand avatars interact with virtual objects. Off-the-shelf haptic robots were employed to manipulate the hand avatars, enabling completion of training tasks with a realistic tactile experience. Haptic feedback is rendered using impedance control laws. Additionally, to address the needs of both patients and therapists we propose to employ robot-assisted force and feedback force. These mechanisms are designed to provide assistance to patients during tasks if needs and to transmit the patient's force feedback to the therapist, facilitating comprehensive interaction and communication between the two parties. Several experiments were conducted involving six healthy subjects, who used electrode stimulation to simulate impaired limbs, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed training frameworks.

Operational space robust impedance control of the redundant surgical robot for minimally invasive surgery.

The motion accuracy, compliance, and control smoothness for the surgical robot are of great importance to improve the safety of human-robot interaction. However, the end effector that interacts with soft tissue during surgery affects the dynamics of the robot. The control performance of the controller may be decreased if the changing dynamics are not identified and updated in time. This paper proposes a robust impedance controller for the redundant remote center of motion manipulator influenced by external disturbances, including external torque, uncertainties, and unmodeled terms in the dynamics. To achieve the desired impedance, a continuously switching sliding manifold is proposed. When the sliding manifold is driven to zero, the motion error will converge to a bounded region. This can overcome the adverse effects of external disturbances while guaranteeing motion accuracy and compliance. Chattering of the sliding mode control is alleviated through the formulated continuously switching sliding manifold and integrated nonlinear disturbance observer. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that the proposed controller has excellent motion accuracy, compliance, and control smoothness. This provides potential application prospects for the redundant surgical robot to guarantee safe human-robot interaction.

Position-Based ANN Impedance Control for A Three-Fingered Robot Hand

A feedforward ANN was previously developed for recognition of two objects i.e. a spongy ball and a plastic bottle but was verified through simulation only. In this work, the feasibility of the ANN model is tested by applying it to the robot’s impedance control which takes the exerted force at the finger as input while resulting in an output for the selection rule of the impedance stiffness parameter, named 𝐾𝑑. From the results, the different object textures can be distinguished by the ANN where the absolute peak values of measured rate force during contact with the ball reached 0.15 N and a slightly higher value of 0.32 N for the bottle. 𝐾𝑑 values were found to switch between 1000 and 250 based on the ANN outputs for the ball and bottle, respectively, thus affecting the dynamics of the fingertip through modified position reference of the fingertip. However, it is also observed that the object was incorrectly classified in some moments when the exerted force was not sufficient due to the weak grasp of the object. This shows that the nonlinear factor from the hardware defects needs to be considered when refining the 𝐾𝑑 selection rule in future studies.

Robotic grinding and polishing of complex aeroengine blades based on new device design and variable impedance control

Owing to the advantages of good flexibility and low cost, robots are gradually replacing manual labor as an effective carrier for the grinding and polishing of aeroengine blades. However, the geometric features of blades are complex and diverse, and the contour accuracy and surface quality requirements are high, making the robotic grinding and polishing of blades still a challenging task. For this reason, this article first designs a new device by integrating different tools, which can achieve full-feature grinding and polishing of blades. Then, in order to improve the accuracy and stability of force tracking during the robotic grinding and polishing processes, a variable impedance control approach with simultaneous changes in stiffness and damping and parameter boundaries is proposed. Finally, the superiority of the proposed variable impedance control method is verified by comparative experiments on surface tracking. In addition, by combining the device with the variable impedance control method in the robotic grinding and polishing experiments of an aeroengine blade, their effectiveness in practical situations is confirmed.

Toward Impedance Control in Human-Machine Interfaces for Upper-Limb Prostheses.

Adaptation of upper-limb impedance (stiffness, damping, inertia) is crucial for humans to physically interact with the external environment during grasping and manipulation tasks. Here, we present a novel framework for Adaptive Impedance Control of Upper-limb Prosthesis (AIC-UP) based on surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. AIC-UP uses muscle-tendon models driven by sEMG signals from agonist-antagonist muscle groups to estimate the human motor intent as joint kinematics, stiffness and damping. These estimates are used to implement a variable impedance controller on a simulated robot. Designed for use by amputees, joint torque or stiffness measurements are not used for model calibration. AIC-UP was evaluated with eight able-bodied subjects and a transradial amputee performing target-reaching tasks in simulation through wrist flexion-extension. The control performance was tested in free space and in the presence of unexpected perturbations. We show that AIC-UP outperformed a neural network that regresses the desired kinematics from sEMG signals, in terms of robustness to muscle coactivations needed to complete the task. These results were in agreement with the qualitative feedback from the participants. Additionally, we observed that AIC-UP enables the user to adapt the stiffness and damping to the tasks at hand.

A novel method for measuring electrolytic conductivity with a polarization impedance control function

The article presents an idealized model of the differential method utilized in conductometry to measure electrolytic conductivity (EC). It identifies the main drawback of the widely used differential method: the inability to control the influence of polarization impedance on EC measurement results. A criterion for the absence of error caused by polarization effects is proposed, involving equality between the ratios of resistance differences and cell constant differences. A novel method for EC measurement, termed the double differential method, is introduced. This method relies on repeated differential impedance measurements and incorporates an additional third impedance measurement of a virtual liquid column. The new approach enables the identification of polarization impedance influence on EC measurements and the calculation of measurement errors for correction. A 3 times lower type A measurement uncertainty value can be achieved by averaging the corrected results.

Virtual impedance control of double-fed induction generator for damping enhancement in hvdc collection system

Virtual impedance control of double-fed induction generator for damping enhancement in hvdc collection system

Hybrid Cooperative Control of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Robot Assistance for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation.

Hybrid systems that integrate Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and robotic assistance have been proposed in neurorehabilitation to enhance therapeutic benefits. This study focuses on designing a cooperative controller capable of distributing the required torque for movement between robotic actuation and FES, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming calibration procedures. The control schema comprises three main blocks: a motion generation block that defines the desired trajectory, a motor control block including both a weight compensation feedforward and a feedback impedance controller, and an FES control block, based on trial-by-trial Iterative Learning Control (ILC), that adjusts the stimulation intensity according to a predefined stimulation waveform. The feedforward motor assistance can be dynamically regulated using an allocation factor. Experiments involving 12 healthy volunteers were conducted using a one-degree-of-freedom elbow testbed. The experimental results showcased the successful integration of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) with robotic actuation, ensuring precise trajectory tracking with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) below 7°. Notably, allocating more torque to FES led to a 51 % reduction in motor torque. In conditions where FES operated alone, there was poorer tracking performance with an RMSE of 24° and an early onset of muscle fatigue, as evidenced by a reduced number of achieved repetitions. Furthermore, the hybrid approach enabled 100 fatigue-free elbow flexion repetitions, underscoring the effectiveness of cooperative FES-motor control in extending the benefits of FES-induced exercises. This study proposes a flexible approach which can be extended to a multi-degree-of-freedom hybrid system. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of employing a straightforward and adaptable methodology with a rapid calibration procedure, making it easily transferable to clinical applications.

Safe physical human–robot interaction through variable impedance control based on ISO/TS 15066

Safe physical human–robot interaction through variable impedance control based on ISO/TS 15066

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND HYBRID IMPEDANCE CONTROL OF AN ANKLE REHABILITATION ROBOT

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND HYBRID IMPEDANCE CONTROL OF AN ANKLE REHABILITATION ROBOT

Mitigating Crouch Gait with an Autonomous Pediatric Knee Exoskeleton in the Neurologically Impaired.

Crouch gait is one of the most common compensatory walking patterns found in individuals with neurological disorders due to their limited physical capacity. Notable kinematic characteristics of crouch gait are excessive knee flexion during stance and reduced range of motion during swing. Knee exoskeletons have the potential to improve crouch gait by providing precisely controlled torque assistance directly to the knee joint. In this study, we implemented a finite-state machine-based impedance controller for a powered knee exoskeleton to provide assistance during both stance and swing for five children/young adults who exhibit chronic crouch gait. The assistance provided a strong orthotic effect, increasing stance phase knee extension by an average of 12°. The knee range of motion during swing was increased by an average of 15°. Changes to spatiotemporal outcomes, such as preferred walking speed and percent stance phase, were inconsistent across subjects and indicative of the underlying intricacies of user response to assistance. This study demonstrates the potential of knee exoskeletons operating in impedance control to mitigate the negative kinematic characteristics of crouch gait during both stance and swing phases of gait.

A Virtual Synchronous Generator-Based Control Strategy and Pre-Synchronization Method for a Four-Leg Inverter under Unbalanced Loads

Virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control has positive effects on the stability of microgrids. In practical power systems, both single-phase loads and three-phase unbalanced loads are present. The four-leg inverter is an alternative solution for the power supply of unbalanced loads and grid connections. The traditional VSG control strategy still faces challenges when using a four-leg inverter to provide a symmetrical voltage and stable frequency in the load power supply and pre-synchronization. This paper proposes a VSG-based control strategy along with a pre-synchronization method for four-leg inverters. An improved VSG control strategy is put forward for four-leg inverters. The improved virtual impedance control and power calculation methods are integrated into the control loop to suppress the voltage asymmetry and frequency ripples. Building on the improved VSG control strategy, a pre-synchronization control approach is proposed to minimize the amplitude and phase angle discrepancies between the inverter output voltage and the power grid voltage. In addition, an optimized design method for control parameters is presented to improve VSG dynamic performance. A hardware prototype of the four-leg inverter is built; the results show that the voltage unbalance ratio can be reduced by 89%, and the response time can be shortened by 50%.

Research on adaptive impedance control strategy for humanoid walking in unstructured dynamic environment

Research on adaptive impedance control strategy for humanoid walking in unstructured dynamic environment

An adaptive framework for trajectory following in changing-contact robot manipulation tasks

We describe an adaptive control framework for changing-contact robot manipulation tasks that require the robot to make and break contacts with objects and surfaces. The piecewise continuous interaction dynamics of such tasks make it difficult to construct and use a single dynamics model or control strategy. Also, the nonlinear dynamics during contact changes can damage the robot or the domain objects. Our framework enables the robot to incrementally improve its prediction of contact changes in such tasks, efficiently learn models for the piecewise continuous interaction dynamics, and to provide smooth and accurate trajectory tracking based on a task-space variable impedance controller. We experimentally compare the performance of our framework against that of representative control methods to establish that the adaptive control, prediction, and incremental learning capabilities of our framework are essential to achieve the desired smooth control of changing-contact robot manipulation tasks.

Analysis of low-frequency oscillation mechanism and optimal control of impedance on the DC side of a two-stage power conversion system

The two-stage power conversion system (PCS), a cascaded system consisting of bi-directional DC/DC and DC/AC modules, is extensively employed in battery storage systems. However, the cascading of modules may result in a less stable system which is vulnerable to disturbances, especially power fluctuations. In fact, the level of the power or the reversal of the power flow can adversely affect the stability of the cascaded system, resulting in a low-frequency oscillation of the bus voltage. Accordingly, to solve the problem of stability degradation after modules cascading, this paper proposes an active damping control strategy with coordinated control of the capacitor voltage. This strategy can reduce the resonant peak of the output impedance of the source converter and increase the phase of the input impedance of the load converter at the same time, so as to avoid the intersection of impedances, effectively enhance the stable operating range of the cascaded system. Finally, simulations and experiments have been carried out for the verification of the analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed control method.

Active impedance control based adaptive locomotion for a bionic hexapod robot

AbstractIn recent years, with the continuous development of human exploration of the natural world, there has been a growing demand across various fields for robots capable of free movement in diverse environments. In this study, we address the issue of compliant control for a hexapod robot in diverse environments and propose a novel control method based on an adaptive impedance model for position control. Our approach enables the hexapod robot to stabilize foot force on complex terrains while preserving balance and body height. Specifically, we analyze the algorithm's parameters and stability by establishing the hexapod robot's structural and impedance control models. To tackle this challenge, we introduce an adaptive impedance control algorithm that estimates environmental parameters using Lyapunov's asymptotic stability theorem and achieves tracking of actual foot‐end forces to desired foot forces. Furthermore, to ensure body stability and height, we incorporate attitude feedback and body feedback. Experimental results from foot force control experiments conducted on a multilegged robot demonstrate that our proposed algorithm enhances the adaptability and robustness of the robot. This research holds significant implications for the stable control of hexapod robots in complex environments and has promising practical applications.

Tele-Impedance control of a virtual avatar based on EMG and M-IMU sensors: a proof-of-concept

The broad spread of cooperative robots into many application domains has resulted in a demand for intuitive and effective solutions for teleoperated control. A relevant role in teleoperation has been assumed by impedance controllers, that allow the increase of stability and accuracy during interaction. This paper aims to test a teleoperation method based on an impedance controller, namely tele-impedance control, that is usable in unstructured environments since it relies only on wearable sensors. The proposed solution maps the joint stiffness and position of the human user, computed through six EMG and two M-IMU sensors, into the remote system to be teleoperated. We developed a 2-DoFs virtual task involving virtual physical interactions to compare the performance of our solution with the one of a traditional position-based controller. The study has been conducted on five healthy participants, who experienced both controllers in two different sessions. The tele-impedance approach has proved to be less physically demanding and more intuitive than the position-based one. Experimental data also allow us to investigate the strategy employed by the volunteers in the case of remote interactions, while using the two controllers. Of note, even though with the position controller the variation of subject impedance has no effect on the virtual arm, participants still tend to regulate both impedance and position of their own arm.

Bandwidth Extension of the Doherty Power Amplifier Using the Impedance Distribution and Control Circuit for the Post-Matching Network

Owing to the high impedance transformation ratio, the Doherty power amplifier (DPA) with a large output power back-off generally has bandwidth limitations. This study proposes an asymmetric DPA with an impedance distribution and control circuit (IDCC) at the post-matching network to improve the bandwidth. The IDCC, based on a resonance circuit and a series transmission line, distributes and controls the load impedance according to the frequency so that the bandwidth of the DPA can be extended. To verify the proposed IDCC, an asymmetric DPA was designed using GaN HEMT with a power capacity of 6 W and 10 W for the carrier and peaking amplifiers, respectively. The implemented DPA was evaluated for the broad frequency band between 3.3 GHz and 3.8 GHz using a 5G new radio (NR) signal with a bandwidth of 100 MHz and a peak-to-average power ratio of 7.8 dB. A drain efficiency between 43.2% and 50.7% and an adjacent channel leakage power ratio between –23.4 dBc and –27.3 dBc were achieved at an average power level that ranged between 33.5 dBm and 34.3 dBm.

Parameters identification and contact interaction control of redundant robot based on dynamic model

Human-redundant robot contact interaction control based on joint current is conducted. This is a sensorless control method. The key issues involved are dynamic parameters identification and interaction control strategy of robot. Firstly, kinematics model and linear dynamic model of robot are established and dynamic parameter matrix to be identified is obtained. Pattern search method is adopted to optimize motion trajectory of robot. Dynamic parameters is obtained by using least square method. The results indicate that the calculated current has a consistent trend with actual measured value, and the current error is small. In order to achieve independent control in null space, motion decoupling model of robot is established, and impedance control is applied to null space. When the force is applied to robot, based on impedance control and joint current changes, robot can move along the force direction, so the motion in null space can be controlled. Aiming at null space contact control during end force control task, comprehensive interaction control based on force sensor and joint current is conducted. The results show that robot can also move in compliance with human hand and achieve compliant interaction of null space when force is applied to the joint space.