Advances In Modelling And Control Of Soft Robots

Robot-assisted healthcare offers benefits for repetitive, intensive and task specific training compared to traditional manual manipulation performed by physiotherapists. However, a majority of existing rehabilitation devices use rigid actuators such as electric motors or hydraulic cylinders which cannot guarantee the safety of patients. This book provides biomedical engineering and robotics professionals and students with the fundamental mechatronic engineering knowledge to analyze and design new soft robotic devices. The authors present a systematic investigation of the design, modelling, methods, and control methods, implementation and novel applications of mechatronics to provide better clinical rehabilitation services and new insights into emerging technologies utilized in soft robots for healthcare.

Introduction to Advanced Soft Robotics is an introductory textbook on soft body robotics. The content is designed to enable readers to better understand soft body robotics. Starting with an introduction to the subject, contents explain fundamental concepts such as perception and sensing, fabrication techniques and material design. These introductory chapters demonstrate the design concept and related design structures of soft robots from multiple perspectives, which can provide considerable design references for robotics learners and enthusiasts. Next, the book explains modeling and control for soft robotics and the applications. Key features of this book include easy-to-understand language and format, simple illustrations and a balanced overview of the subject (including a section on challenges and future prospects for soft robotics), and scientific references.

Advances in Robotics - Modeling, Control and Applications is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and postgraduate students. It takes a practical approach rather than a conceptual approach. It offers a truly reader-friendly way to get to the subject, providing a definitive guide in this vibrant and evolving discipline. This book is an invaluable companion for students from their first encounter with the subject to more advanced studies, while the high quality artworks are designed to present the key concepts with simplicity, clarity and consistency. There are totally 18 chapters in this book. Chapter 1 proposes a simple control system for a biped robot using nonlinear oscillators based on the physiological concept of central pattern generator and physiological evidence of phase resetting. Chapter 2 presents work that attempts to extract principles by which spiders and other species achieve these features. Chapter 3 proposes methods for a robot manipulator with a racket to do two kinds of ball juggling, the paddle juggling and the wall juggling, based on discrete control systems of states of the hit ball. Chapter 4 proposed a new control algorithm in a robot arm based on active tactile slippage sensation. Chapter 5 provides a look at some possibilities of modern voice analysis technologies in the field of ambient assisted living, which seems to be a promising application for robotic systems. Chapter 6 focuses on adaptive filtering techniques for acoustics application. Adaptive acoustic in an important topic for signal processing in robots since robot sound inputs are usually recollected through acoustic sensors. Chapter 7 aims at examining the method and equipment of preliminary-announcement of the upcoming operation of a mobile robot moving on a two-dimensional plane to those who are in the surroundings. Chapter 8 introduces two kinds of instruction learning systems for partner robots: (1) a hand image instruction learning system; and (2) three kinds of voice learning systems, using Kohonen's self-organizing map (SOM) and its variations such as Transient-SOM (T-SOM), Parameter-less SOM (PL-T-SOM) and Parameter-less Growing SOM (PL-G-SOM). Chapter 9 presents the study on throw-over movement informing a receiver of the object landing distance as an example of the informative motion for human synergetic robots. In Chapter 10, the author examines the application of a touch screen to an operational interface of a mobile robot remote operation system. Chapter 11 describes low processing approach for identification of obstacles in a robotic soccer team. Chapter 12 couples a general purpose stat/space representation with a reactive algorithm for mobile robot navigation In Chapter 13, the author designs an general-purposed affective behavior decision system based on linear dynamics to solve the limitation that affective model is difficult to be applied to various social robots without redesigning. Chapter 14 proposes a control mechanism based on multiple-criteria decision making for autonomous control of ambient environment. Chapter 15 proposes an information gathering support system in post-disaster environment by utilizing a robot sensor network in which a teleoperated mobile robot deploys wireless sensor nodes (SNs). Chapter 16 proposes fault accommodation procedure in discrete-event robots. Chapter 17 deals with application of robotic technology for performing risky tasks, mainly for de-mining operations. Finally, Chapter 18 briefly describes an application of robot in medial health.

Based on the successful Modelling and Control of Robot Manipulators by Sciavicco and Siciliano (Springer, 2000), Robotics provides the basic know-how on the foundations of robotics: modelling, planning and control. It has been expanded to include coverage of mobile robots, visual control and motion planning. A variety of problems is raised throughout, and the proper tools to find engineering-oriented solutions are introduced and explained. The text includes coverage of fundamental topics like kinematics, and trajectory planning and related technological aspects including actuators and sensors. To impart practical skill, examples and case studies are carefully worked out and interwoven through the text, with frequent resort to simulation. In addition, end-of-chapter exercises are proposed, and the book is accompanied by an electronic solutions manual containing the MATLAB® code for computer problems; this is available free of charge to those adopting this volume as a textbook for courses.

A New Edition Featuring Case Studies and Examples of the Fundamentals of Robot Kinematics, Dynamics, and Control In the 2nd Edition of Robot Modeling and Control, students will cover the theoretical fundamentals and the latest technological advances in robot kinematics. With so much advancement in technology, from robotics to motion planning, society can implement more powerful and dynamic algorithms than ever before. This in-depth reference guide educates readers in four distinct parts; the first two serve as a guide to the fundamentals of robotics and motion control, while the last two dive more in-depth into control theory and nonlinear system analysis. With the new edition, readers gain access to new case studies and thoroughly researched information covering topics such as: ● Motion-planning, collision avoidance, trajectory optimization, and control of robots ● Popular topics within the robotics industry and how they apply to various technologies ● An expanded set of examples, simulations, problems, and case studies ● Open-ended suggestions for students to apply the knowledge to real-life situations A four-part reference essential for both undergraduate and graduate students, Robot Modeling and Control serves as a foundation for a solid education in robotics and motion planning.

The research areas as well as the knowledge gained for the practical use of robots are growing and expanding beyond manufacturing and industrial automation, making inroads in sectors such as health care and terrain sensing, as well as general assistive systems working in close interaction with humans. In a situation like this, it is necessary for future robot systems to become less stiff and more specialized by taking inspiration from the mechanical compliance and versatility found in natural materials and organisms. At present, a new discipline is emerging in this area, called »Soft Robotics«. It particularly challenges the traditional thinking of engineers, as the confluence of technologies, ranging from new materials, sensors, actuators and production techniques to new design tools, will make it possible to create new systems whose structures are almost completely made of soft materials, which bring about entirely new functions and behaviors, similar in many ways to natural systems. These Proceedings focus on four main topics: • Soft Actuators and Control • Soft Interactions • Soft Robot Assistants: Potential and Challenges • Human-centered »Soft Robotics«.

Soft Robotics in Rehabilitation explores the specific branch of robotics dealing with developing robots from compliant and flexible materials. Unlike robots built from rigid materials, soft robots behave the way in which living organs move and adapt to their surroundings and allow for increased flexibility and adaptability for the user. This book is a comprehensive reference discussing the application of soft robotics for rehabilitation of upper and lower extremities separated by various limbs. The book examines various techniques applied in soft robotics, including the development of soft actuators, rigid actuators with soft behavior, intrinsically soft actuators, and soft sensors. This book is perfect for graduate students, researchers, and professional engineers in robotics, control, mechanical, and electrical engineering who are interested in soft robotics, artificial intelligence, rehabilitation therapy, and medical and rehabilitation device design and manufacturing. Outlines the application of soft robotic techniques to design platforms that provide rehabilitation therapy for disabled persons to help improve their motor functions Discusses the application of soft robotics for rehabilitation of upper and lower extremities separated by various limbs Offers readers the ability to find soft robotics devices, methods, and results for any limb, and then compare the results with other options provided in the book