Intelligent Control of a Highly Flexible Robotic Structure With Hundreds of Motor Elements

Abstract

As the number of the degrees of motion freedom increase in a robotic system so grows the difficulty of control. We describe a model of a novel highly flexible robotic architecture composed of hundreds of motor elements each associated with a unique degree of motion freedom. This new robotic architecture possesses a variably compliant structure that allows for the controlled distribution of loads and forces and for the maintenance of different conformations. We then suggest two methods of intelligent control to manage the many motor elements. One method derives from neural networks the other involves algorithms inspired by the biological immune system. Both methods are based on the system's perception of its own kinematics and later self-prediction of the forces generated by coordinated subsets of motor elements that accomplish robot mobility and other work upon the environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA442046

Entities

People

  • Michael Blackburn
  • Selahattin Ozcelik

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Actuators
  • Algorithms
  • Control Systems
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Environment
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • Immune System
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Lymphocytes
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neural Networks
  • Resilience
  • Simulations

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • AI & ML - Neural Networks
  • Autonomy