Invention supports accuracy of robot motion

A research team from Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) in Abu Dhabi has developed a new biomechanical model that improves the accuracy and ease of robot behaviour modelling, a complex task involving the movement and interaction of robots with their environment.

The team published their research, titled “Low-order modelling of hybrid soft and rigid robots using local, global, and state-dependent stress parameters,” in the leading scientific journal (International Journal of Robotics Research).

The innovative geometrically variable voltage model, which will transform the control and motion of hybrid flexible and rigid robots that integrate soft, flexible and rigid components, exhibits uncompromising accuracy despite requiring fewer calculations, thereby becoming a formidable tool for the next generation of robotic systems.

The research team comprised Dr. Federico Renda, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Dr. Anup Tejo Mathieu, Dr. Daniel Filho Talegon, Dr. Abdelaziz Elkayas, Dr. Frederic Boyer, a faculty member and researcher at the Laboratory of Numerical Sciences and Institut Maine Télécom in Nantes, France.

The research team explained that conventional models encounter challenges in reconciling flexibility and rigidity.

However, the geometric variable voltage model streamlines this process through a low-rank framework, offering an efficient algorithm that requires only minimal data to accurately represent the robot’s behaviour.

The geometrically variable voltage model is the optimal choice for robot design and control in complex environments. Its precision is ideal for minimally invasive surgery, where long and flexible robotic arms can navigate with minimal risk to patients.

Its efficiency and quiet operation make it perfect for underwater exploration, where robots inspired by bacteria’s natural propulsion systems can navigate with less noise and greater efficiency.

And in the agri-food industry, flexible handles are a clear advantage.

They stated, “The geometric variable voltage model effectively addresses operational challenges such as vibration and deformation of flexible parts in robots that use metal wires to control heavy loads. It is ideal for scenarios that require both soft and hard components to work together smoothly, including robots used in 3D printing technology for construction.”