• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.733-740
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• 2016

To achieve bipedal walking in real human environments, a bipedal robot should be capable of modifiable walking both on uneven terrain with different heights and on flat terrain. In this paper, a novel walking pattern generator based on a 3-D linear inverted pendulum model (LIPM) is proposed to achieve this objective. By adopting a zero moment point (ZMP) variation scheme in real time, it is possible to change the center-of-mass (COM) position and the velocity of the 3-D LIPM throughout the single support phase. Consequently, the proposed method offers the ability to generate a modifiable pattern for walking on uneven terrain without the necessity for any extra footsteps to adjust the COM motion. In addition, a control strategy for bipedal walking on uneven terrain with unknown height is developed. The torques and ground reaction force are measured through force-sensing resisters (FSRs) on each foot and the foot of the robot is modeled as three virtual spring-damper models for the disturbance compensation. The methods for generating the foot and vertical COM of 3-D LIPM trajectories are proposed to achieve modifiable bipedal walking on uneven terrain without any information regarding the height of the terrain. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through dynamic simulations.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.353-358
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• 2011

This paper presents a virtual-legged walking model for bipedal robots and analyzes its fundamental RPY(Roll, Pitch, and Yaw) motion effects by simulation. For the purpose of identifying the motion effects of the bipedal walking, we assign some arbitrary trajectories both at the center of mass and at the center of pressure of the robot based on human walking. And then we verify the major moments to the roll, pitch, and yaw directions of the robot. As a result, it is shown that those motions are natural in the process of bipedal walking and they are deeply dependent on the step distance, the vertical level of the center of mass, and the acceleration of the robot. The importance of trajectory planning for the footstep location during a bipedal walking is finally addressed in terms of balance.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.2248-2253
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• 2005

Although the progress in bipedal walking is impressive in recent years, biped robots still require very high torque and can walk only for a short time interval with their internal batteries. Therefore, further research needs to be carried out to enhance walking efficiency of these robots. In order to achieve this goal, we attempt to imitate human walking with pelvis and waist joint rotations in the frontal plane. In order to investigate the effect of the pelvis and waist joint rotations in the frontal plane motion, we study the frontal plane model with a triangular structure made up of a waist joint and two hip joints. Through simulation, we show that the pelvis rotation can reduce the maximum torque and the control effort, and the waist joint rotation can reduce the trunk sway caused by the pelvis rotation. The combination of these two rotations makes the bipedal walking in the frontal plane more efficient.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.10c
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• pp.172-174
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose the trajectory generation method for bipedal walking on the stairs. This method is based on multi-masses inverted pendulum mode (MMIPM). MMIPM can effectively reduce the ZMP error but it is only applied to walking on the flat ground. In order to reduce ZMP error when a robot walks on the stairs, we generate the walking motion by MMIPM and modify that motion using parametric functions. We determine the values of the parameters by the simulations. Simulation results show that the robot can walk more stable on the stairs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2013

This paper analyzes a virtual work of the knee and hip joints of bipedal walking robots. For the purpose, we consider a model of bipedal leg mechanism with a compliant foot and a typical walking pattern. We also check the torque characteristics at the joint space propagated from the space of the foot contacting a flat and stiff surface, and present the works accumulated at the joint space. As a result, it is shown that this analysis is useful for evaluating the fatigue of the leg mechanism by the physical walking contact between the foot and the surface, and it is applicable for improving the compliant characteristics at the foot space by employing a proper footgear.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2011

Based on the stability criteria of ZMP (Zero Moment Point), this paper proposes an adjusting algorithm that modifies walking trajectory of a bipedal robot for stable walking by analyzing ZMP trajectory of it. In order to maintain walking balance of the bipedal robot, ZMP should be located within a supporting polygon that is determined by the foot supporting area with stability margin. Initially tilting imposed to the trajectory of the upper body is proposed to transfer ZMP of the given walking trajectory into the stable region for the minimum stability. A neural network method is also proposed for the stable walking trajectory of the biped robot. It uses backpropagation learning with angles and angular velocities of all joints with tilting to get the improved walking trajectory. By applying the optimized walking trajectory that is obtained with the neural network model, the ZMP trajectory of the bipedal robot is certainly located within a stable area of the supporting polygon. Experimental results show that the optimally learned trajectory with neural network gives more stability even though the tilting of the pelvic joint has a great role for walking stability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.277-280
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• 2004

In the research of biomechanical engineering, robotics and neurophysiology, to clarify the mechanism of human bipedal walking is of major interest. It serves as a basis of developing several applications such as rehabilitation tools and humanoid robots Nevertheless, because of complexity of the neuronal system that Interacts with the body dynamics system to make walking movements, much is left unknown about the details of locomotion mechanism. Researchers were looking for the optimal model of the neuronal system by trials and errors. In this paper, we applied Genetic Programming to induce the model of the nervous system automatically and showed its effectiveness by simulating a human bipedal walking with the obtained model.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.333-344
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• 2014

This is the survey paper on the role of kinematics in robot development. The robot is considered as a form of mechanical systems which includes closed-chain loop system, open-chain loop system and closed and open switching system. To analyze these systems, kinematic notations has been developed in kinematics of mechanical theory since 1955 and has been applied in robotics. Several kinematic notations including Denavit-Hartenberg notations have been reviewed. The status of development of the spherical motor which has a great impact on the future robot advancement has reviewed, and research activity on a spherical motor and its application to 3-D spatial mechanisms at UNIST is introduced. For the open and closed switching mechanical systems, the bipedal robots' walking theories using Zero Moment Point are reviewed. And current status regarding bipedal robots based on newly developed passive dynamic walking theory is reviewed with the research activity at UNIST on this subject.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.659-667
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• 2011

The study of bipedal robot is towards similar shape and function with human. In this paper, we propose a human-like walking pattern compatible to the flexible foot with toe and heel structure. The new walking pattern for a bipedal robot consists of ZMP, center of mass (CoM), and ankle trajectory and is drawn by considering human kinesiology. First, the ZMP trajectory moves forward without stopping at a point even in the single support phase. The corresponding CoM trajectory to the ZMP one is derived by solving differential equations. As well, a CoM trajectory for the vertical axis is added by following the idea of human motion. The ankle trajectory closely mimics the rotational motion of human ankles during taking off and landing on the ground. The advantages of the proposed walking pattern are demonstrated by showing improved stability, decreased ankle torque, and the longer step length capability. Specifically, it is interesting to know that the vertical CoM motion is able to compensate for the initial transient response.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.188-202
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• 2004

This research was designed to investigate biomechanical aspects of the evolution based on the hypothesis of dynamic cooperative interactions between the locomotion pattern and the body shape in the evolution of human bipedal walking The musculoskeletal model used in the computer simulation consisted of 12 rigid segments and 26 muscles. The nervous system was represented by 18 rhythmic pattern generators. The genetic algorithm was employed based on the natural selection theory to represent the evolutionary mechanism. Evolutionary strategy was assumed to minimize the cost function that is weighted sum of the energy consumption, the muscular fatigue and the load on the skeletal system. The simulation results showed that repeated manipulations of the genetic algorithm resulted in the change of body shape and locomotion pattern from those of chimpanzee to those of human. It was suggested that improving locomotive efficiency and the load on the musculoskeletal system are feasible factors driving the evolution of the human body shape and the bipedal locomotion pattern. The hypothetical evolution method employed in this study can be a new powerful tool for investigation of the evolution process.