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Kinematic Modelling and Motion Analysis of a Humanoid Torso Mechanism

Matteo Russo Orcid Logo, Marco Ceccarelli Orcid Logo, Daniele Cafolla Orcid Logo

Applied Sciences, Volume: 11, Issue: 6, Start page: 2607

Swansea University Author: Daniele Cafolla Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.3390/app11062607

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel kinematic model for a tendon-driven compliant torso mechanism for humanoid robots, which describes the complex behaviour of a system characterised by the interaction of a complex compliant element with rigid bodies and actuation tendons. Inspired by a human spine, the p...

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Published in: Applied Sciences
ISSN: 2076-3417
Published: MDPI AG 2021
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62496
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Abstract: This paper introduces a novel kinematic model for a tendon-driven compliant torso mechanism for humanoid robots, which describes the complex behaviour of a system characterised by the interaction of a complex compliant element with rigid bodies and actuation tendons. Inspired by a human spine, the proposed mechanism is based on a flexible backbone whose shape is controlled by two pairs of antagonistic tendons. First, the structure is analysed to identify the main modes of motion. Then, a constant curvature kinematic model is extended to describe the behaviour of the torso mechanism under examination, which includes axial elongation/compression and torsion in addition to the main bending motion. A linearised stiffness model is also formulated to estimate the static response of the backbone. The novel model is used to evaluate the workspace of an example mechanical design, and then it is mapped onto a controller to validate the results with an experimental test on a prototype. By replacing a previous approximated model calibrated on experimental data, this kinematic model improves the accuracy and efficiency of the torso mechanism and enables the performance evaluation of the robot over the reachable workspace, to ensure that the tendon-driven architecture operates within its wrench-closure workspace.
Keywords: humanoid robotics; assistive robotics; service robotics; mechanism design; kinematics; cable-driven robots; compliant mechanisms; underactuated mechanisms; motion analysis; workspace
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This work was funded by a grant from Ministero della Salute (Ricerca Corrente 2021).
Issue: 6
Start Page: 2607