Mechanism Design and System Control for Humanoid Space Robot Movement Using a Simple Gravity-Compensation System

• Main Authors: Zhihong Jiang, Shilong Liu, Hui Li, Que Dong, Xiaopeng Chen, Qiang Huang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2013-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5772/56798

Space robots are an effective resource for astronauts working in a dangerous space environment. This paper proposes and implements a system to validate the performance of robot movement in space. A humanoid robot was designed with a vision-based self-calibration and navigation system. In addition, a path planning method was proposed to minimize joint torque. Simple gravity-compensation equipment with active and passive mechanisms was proposed. However, the flexible connection required for free movement between the robot and the gravity-compensation equipment meant that the space robot was likely to vibrate when moving. In order to address this challenge, a new hybrid force-position controller with joint torque feedforward was proposed. This controller was based on the system dynamics model with a particular focus on joint dynamics. Experimental test results validated the system design and methodology, showing that the humanoid space robot could move sufficiently using simple gravity-compensation equipment.