Abstract

Human-robot interaction is an area of interest that is becoming increasingly important in robotics research. Nonlinear control design techniques allow researchers to guarantee stability, performance, as well as safety, especially in cases involving physical human-robot interaction (PHRI). In this dissertation, we will propose two different nonlinear controllers and detail the design of an assistive robotic system to facilitate human-robot interaction. In Chapter 2, to facilitate physical human-robot interaction, the problem of making a safe compliant contact between a human and an assistive robot is considered. Users with disabilities have a need to utilize their assistive robots for physical interaction during activities such as hair-grooming, scratching, face-sponging, etc. Specifically, we propose a hybrid force/velocity/attitude control for our physical human-robot interaction system which is based on measurements from a force/torque sensor mounted on the robot wrist. While automatically aligning the end-effector surface with the unknown environmental (human) surface, a desired commanded force is applied in the normal direction while following desired velocity commands in the tangential directions. A Lyapunov based stability analysis is provided to prove both convergence as well as passivity of the interaction to ensure both performance and safety. Simulation as well as experimental results verify the performance and robustness of the proposed hybrid force/velocity/attitude controller in the presence of dynamic uncertainties as well as safety compliance of human-robot interactions for a redundant robot manipulator. Chapter 3 presents the design, analysis, and experimental implementation of an adaptive control enabled intelligent algorithm to facilitate 1-click grasping of novel objects by a robotic gripper since one of the most common types of tasks for an assistive robot is pick and place/object retrieval tasks. But there are a variety of objects in our daily life all of which need different optimal force to grasp them. This algorithm facilitates automated grasping force adjustment. The use of object-geometry free modeling coupled with utilization of interaction force and slip velocity measurements allows for the design of an adaptive backstepping controller that is shown to be asymptotically stable via a Lyapunov-based analysis. Experiments with multiple objects using a prototype gripper with embedded sensing show that the proposed scheme is able to effectively immobilize novel objects within the gripper fingers. Furthermore, it is seen that the adaptation allows for close estimation of the minimum grasp force required for safe grasping which results in minimal deformation of the grasped object. In Chapter 4, we present the design and implementation of the motion controller and adaptive interface for the second generation of the UCF-MANUS intelligent assistive robotic manipulator system. Based on usability testing for the system, several features were implemented in the interface that could reduce the complexity of the human-robot interaction while also compensating for the deficits in different human factors, such as Working Memory, Response Inhibition, Processing Speed; , Depth Perception, Spatial Ability, Contrast Sensitivity. For the controller part, we designed several new features to provide the user has a less complex and safer interaction with the robot, such as 'One-click mode', 'Move suggestion mode' and 'Gripper Control Assistant'. As for the adaptive interface design, we designed and implemented compensators such as 'Contrast Enhancement', 'Object Proximity Velocity Reduction' and 'Orientation Indicator'.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2019

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Behal, Aman

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Program

Electrical Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0007798

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0007798

Language

English

Release Date

December 2020

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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