一种粗糙地形下四足仿生机器人的柔顺步态生成方法

传统以刚体动力学为基础的四足机器人运动控制方法对地形误差敏感,无法适应粗糙复杂地形,因此提出一种基于虚拟模型的运动控制方法用于实现四足机器人在粗糙地形下的行走.建立了以足底接触力为约束的高层步行任务和底层运动控制的映射关系.采用弹簧-阻尼-质量虚拟模型对四足机器人进行建模,将四足机器人的步行任务用一系列作用于机体质心的虚拟力去表征,基于各足等效力矩平衡的原则,将笛卡儿空间的虚拟力矢量分配到各支撑足,利用雅可比矩阵把足端力矢量转换为机器人关节空间的关节转矩.针对崎岖的空间3维粗糙地形,建立了机器人躯干姿态与地形的关联参数,通过调整躯干姿态有效扩大了机器人对粗糙地形的适应程度.运动仿真结果表明,机器人可以实现粗糙地形下稳定连续的行走,足底接触力平稳、无冲击,证明了该柔顺步态生成方法的合理性和有效性.     

智能决策改进的四足机器人ZMP爬行步态算法

提出了一种基于反馈控制和贪婪决策的四足机器人爬行步态规划算法。该算法利用机载惯性传感器IMU（Inertial Measurement Unit）来实时计算零力矩点和姿态角,以稳态裕度为指标在支撑平面内实时规划期望零力矩点（Zero Moment Point,ZMP）轨迹,结合非线性反馈控制器实现对机体ZMP点的连续平滑调节,保证机器人在按给定速度矢量进行连续爬行的同时具有抵抗一定外力扰动的能力。步态规划采用动态步态周期,基于机器人结构约束和贪婪决策实现跨腿的自动触发,提高了步态自适应性。最终通过样机行走实验验证了所提算法应用于微型四足机器人中的可行性,机器人实现了在平坦地面上稳定地全向行走和旋转,所提算法同时兼顾了自适应性和稳定裕度。     

面向复杂地形的四足机器人步态生成方法

为实现四足机器人在凹凸地形上稳定运动并能选择最大步长的目的,提出了基于稳定裕度的步态规划方法;基于研究对象,建立四足机器人的运动学方程及逆运动学方程,将机器人足端的位置映射为各关节的关节变量;提出工作空间矩阵的概念,将所需克服的地形高度反映到工作空间矩阵中,并选择最优步态区域;依据四足机器人的立足点在质心坐标系下的空间坐标,以纵向稳定裕度为约束条件,在工作空间矩阵中计算机器人摆动腿的最大步长并规划机械腿的运动轨迹;针对所提出的方法,分别利用MATLAB和ADAMS进行仿真验证;在MATLAB环境中计算并验证质心的水平投影是否在立足点形成支撑多变形内,而ADAMS平台分析机器人在复杂地形上的位移变化及姿态变化。仿真结果表明机器人的质心始终在支撑多边形内,机器人的躯干姿态基本保持不变且运动速度匀速,所提出的方法能够保证机器人稳定行走,为四足机器人的稳定运动提出依据。     

一种仿婴儿欠自由度四足爬行机器人

受婴儿爬行时独特的躯体形态的启发,设计了具有柔性脊柱和弹性膝关节的欠自由度四足爬行机器人BabyBot,其脊柱为变截面通体柔顺结构,膝关节为无自由度可变形被动关节.利用伪刚体法对柔性脊柱和弹性膝关节的结构参数进行设计,采用中枢模式发生器(CPG)运动控制模型生成对角爬行步态轨迹,柔顺机构与仿生控制有机结合形成了BabyBot机器人"以膝着地、腰髋耦合"的仿婴儿爬行步态.对欠自由度仿婴儿机器人的机构可行性,以及柔性脊柱对机器人运动性能的影响进行仿真及实验,结果表明,具有弹性膝关节的欠自由度四足机器人可以实现平稳的爬行运动,变截面柔性脊柱能够减小机器人行走时躯干在横滚及偏转方向的姿态波动程度,提高了机器人运动的协调性和轨迹准确性,并揭示出婴儿爬行时脊柱的柔顺运动对稳定视觉的潜在作用.     

一种多模型融合的仿猎豹四足机器人复杂运动控制方法

针对具有2自由度主动脊柱关节的仿猎豹四足机器人,基于任务分解思想和生物神经系统机理,提出多模型融合的控制方法。该方法以弹簧负载倒立摆模型实现单腿跳跃控制,通过中枢模式发生器（CPG）实现4条腿之间以及脊柱―腿之间的协调控制,利用虚拟模型控制实现机器人与环境交互,采用基于CPG输出的有限状态机来融合3个控制模型,构建仿猎豹四足机器人的多模型分层运动控制器。参考猎豹脊柱运动特征,设计了机器人脊柱关节运动模式,给出脊柱与腿的协调控制策略。最后,在Webots仿真环境中搭建了仿猎豹四足机器人虚拟样机,实现了不同步态下的脊柱―腿的协调控制、在崎岖地形上稳定奔跑,以及平滑的对角―疾驰―对角步态转换,仿真结果验证了所提出的多模型融合的四足机器人运动控制方法的有效性。     

四足机器人步态分析及仿真实现

为实现一种液压驱动的四足机器人稳定行走,根据机器人稳定裕量原则,针对JQRI00四足机器人进行了步态规划。根据前期对四足机器人的结构设计,建立了JQRI00四足机器人的虚拟样机;针对其结构特点,分别设计了四足机器人在进行直线行走和转弯时的步态规划,应用ADAMS对虚拟样机进行了直线步态仿真。仿真结果准确、合理,表明所研究的步态规划正确、可行,能够实现四足机器人稳定行走,为机器人后期进行驱动控制奠定了基础。     

未知崎岖地形下四足机器人复合抗扰柔顺控制

为使四足机器人能够在未知崎岖地形中以对角(Trot)步态柔顺且稳定地行走,提出了一种复合抗扰柔顺控制策略。首先,四足机器人的机身和支撑相采用内外环分层控制策略,外环采用全局快速终端滑模控制器来控制机身的位姿,以使机身位姿快速精确地收敛到平衡状态,并通过设计非线性干扰观测器来消除系统不确定性和外界扰动,以进一步提高系统的鲁棒性;其次,内环采用基于力的PD控制器,以使支撑相的足端接触力能够跟踪滑模控制器所需的期望力,实现足端与地面的软接触,减少对机器人的冲击;同时,摆动相采用具有相同主动柔顺性的阻抗控制器;最后,采用MATLAB/Simulink进行了对比仿真实验,结果表明在所提控制策略下,四足机器人在未知崎岖地形中行走具有良好的鲁棒性和柔顺性。     

四足机器人步态生成算法研究与仿真

在四足机器人行走动态控制的研究中,为使四足机器人能在复杂地面状况下行走,提出了一种四足机器人在不平坦地面爬行时的平动步态生成算法.首先构建四足机器人步行机构模型,根据静态稳定性对角线原理的判定确定机器人腿的摆动顺序;以平动步态为例根据机器人前行方向、初始位姿、地面不平坦等因素计算一个步态周期后机器人的位姿从而实现平动直线行走的连续步态算法.考虑了机器人机构约束以及状态变化因素使机器人在每一个步态周期都能跨出尽可能大的步幅实现行走效率的最大化.通过仿真验证了算法的正确性.仿真结果对四足机器人步态稳定性的研究及实现具有实际的参考价值.     

四足机器人节律柔顺行走控制

针对节律运动突变碰撞力大和柔顺性低的问题,改进基于Hopf振荡器的中枢模式发生器模型,提出一种节律柔顺行走控制方法。分析Hopf振荡器输出信号与关节运动之间的关系,整合膝关节变量,改变神经元之间的作用关系,实现对称步态和非对称步态行走;分析节律运动碰撞力突变对四足机器人行走产生的负面影响,提出基于碰撞力大小和四足机器人身体姿态的柔顺性评估方法;通过连续调整碰撞阶段大腿的摆动幅度,增大摆动周期,减小碰撞阶段的关节运动速度,形成机器人本体与地面之间的缓冲,实现节律柔顺行走。四足机器人慢走步态和对角小跑步态仿真实验验证了该控制方法的有效性。     

一种六足步行机器人的自由步态算法

本文探讨了适用于六足步行机器人的步态类型和机器人腿运动的三个约束条件,提出了一种适用于六足步行机器人在不规则地形上运动的自由步态算法.机器人在大部分的地形状况下以标准模式行走.当标准模式失效时,则采用自适应模式,对机器人状态进行调整,以实现正常的行走运动.在保证运动速度和能量效率的前提下,使机器人具备良好的地形适应能力.最后,文章给出了算法的程序流程图,并在MATLAB下进行了仿真验证.     

Only connect: teaching, technology and telesis

Abstract This paper describes an approach to the design of interactive multimedia materials being developed in a European Community project. The developmental process is seen as a dialogue between technologists and teachers. This dialogue is often problematic because of the differences in training, experience and culture between them. Conditions needed for fruitful dialogue are described and the generic model for learning design used in the project is explained.     

European Community policy and the market

Abstract This paper starts with some reflections on the policy considerations and priorities which are shaping European Commission (EC) research programmes. Then it attempts to position the current projects which seek to capitalise on information and communications technologies for learning in relation to these priorities and the apparent realities of the marketplace. It concludes that while there are grounds to be optimistic about the contribution EC programmes can make to the efficiency and standard of education and training, they are still too technology driven.     

一种自适应子融合集成多分类器方法

融合集成方法已经广泛应用在模式识别领域,然而一些基分类器实时性能稳定性较差,导致多分类器融合性能差,针对上述问题本文提出了一种新的基于多分类器的子融合集成分类器系统。该方法考虑在度量层融合层次之上通过对各类基多分类器进行动态选择,票数最多的类别作为融合系统中对特征向量识别的类别,构成一种新的自适应子融合集成分类器方法。实验表明,该方法比传统的分类器以及分类融合方法识别准确率明显更高,具有更好的鲁棒性。     

煤矿井下安全监控分站的设计及其仿真实现

为了设计一种具有低成本、低功耗、易操作、功能强且可靠性高的煤矿井下安全分站,针对煤矿安全生产实际,文章提出了采用MCS-51系列单片机为核心、具有CAN总线通信接口的煤矿井下安全监控分站的设计方案;首先给出煤矿井下安全监控分站的整体构架设计,然后着重阐述模拟量输入信号处理系统的设计过程,最后说明单片机最小系统及其键盘、显示、报警、通信等各个组成部分的设计;为验证设计方案的可行性与有效性,使用Proteus软件对设计内容进行仿真验证,设计的煤矿井下安全监控分站具有瓦斯、温度等模拟量参数超标报警功能和电机开停、风门开闭等开关量指示功能;仿真结果表明:设计的煤矿井下安全监控分站具有一定的实际应用价值.     

Avoiding semantic and temporal gaps in developing software intensive systems

Development of software intensive systems (systems) in practice involves a series of self-contained phases for the lifecycle of a system. Semantic and temporal gaps, which occur among phases and among developer disciplines within and across phases, hinder the ongoing development of a system because of the interdependencies among phases and among disciplines. Such gaps are magnified among systems that are developed at different times by different development teams, which may limit reuse of artifacts of systems development and interoperability among the systems. This article discusses such gaps and a systems development process for avoiding them.     

Designing economic np control charts: A programmed simulation approach

This paper presents control charts models and the necessary simulation software for the location of economic values of the control parameters. The simulation program is written in FORTRAN, requires only 10K of main storage, and can run on most mini and micro computers. Two models are presented - one describes the process when it is operating at full capacity and the other when the process is operating under capacity. The models allow the product quality to deteriorate to a further level before an existing out-of-control state is detected, and they can also be used in situations where no prior knowledge exists of the out-of-control causes and the resulting proportion defectives.     

The development of robot art

Going through a few examples of robot artists who are recognized worldwide, we try to analyze the deepest meaning of what is called “robot art” and the related art field definition. We also try to highlight its well-marked borders, such as kinetic sculptures, kinetic art, cyber art, and cyberpunk. A brief excursion into the importance of the context, the message, and its semiotics is also provided, case by case, together with a few hints on the history of this discipline in the light of an artistic perspective. Therefore, the aim of this article is to try to summarize the main characteristics that might classify robot art as a unique and innovative discipline, and to track down some of the principles by which a robotic artifact can or cannot be considered an art piece in terms of social, cultural, and strictly artistic interest. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008     

View-based model-driven architecture for enhancing maintainability of data access services

In modern service-oriented architectures, database access is done by a special type of services, the so-called data access services (DAS). Though, particularly in data-intensive applications, using and developing DAS are very common today, the link between the DAS and their implementation, e.g. a layer of data access objects (DAOs) encapsulating the database queries, still is not sufficiently elaborated, yet. As a result, as the number of DAS grows, finding the desired DAS for reuse and/or associated documentation can become an impossible task. In this paper we focus on bridging this gap between the DAS and their implementation by presenting a view-based, model-driven data access architecture (VMDA) managing models of the DAS, DAOs and database queries in a queryable manner. Our models support tailored views of different stakeholders and are scalable with all types of DAS implementations. In this paper we show that our view-based and model driven architecture approach can enhance software development productivity and maintainability by improving DAS documentation. Moreover, our VMDA opens a wide range of applications such as evaluating DAS usage for DAS performance optimization. Furthermore, we provide tool support and illustrate the applicability of our VMDA in a large-scale case study. Finally, we quantitatively prove that our approach performs with acceptable response times.     

Explanation and prediction: an architecture for default and abductive reasoning

Although there are many arguments that logic is an appropriate tool for artificial intelligence, there has been a perceived problem with the monotonicity of classical logic. This paper elaborates on the idea that reasoning should be viewed as theory formation where logic tells us the consequences of our assumptions. The two activities of predicting what is expected to be true and explaining observations are considered in a simple theory formation framework. Properties of each activity are discussed, along with a number of proposals as to what should be predicted or accepted as reasonable explanations. An architecture is proposed to combine explanation and prediction into one coherent framework. Algorithms used to implement the system as well as examples from a running implementation are given.     

A pragmatic multi-method investigation of discrepant technological events: Coping,attributions, and ‘accidental’ learning

Discrepant technological events or situations that entail a problem, a misunderstanding or a difficulty with the Information Technology (IT) being employed, are common in the workplace, and can lead to frustration and avoidance behaviors. Little is known, however, about how individuals cope with these events. This paper examines these events by using a multi-method pragmatic approach informed by coping theory. The results of two studies – a critical incident study and an experiment – serve to build and test, respectively, a theoretical model that posits that individuals use a variety of strategies when dealing with these events: they experience negative emotions, make external attributions, and adopt engagement coping strategies directed at solving the event, eventually switching to a disengagement coping strategy when they feel they have no control over the situation. Furthermore, users’ efforts may result in ‘accidental’ learning as they try to overcome the discrepant IT events through engagement coping. The paper ends with a discussion of the results in light of existing literature, future opportunities for research, and implications for practice.