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Dynamic Locomotion Master Thesis Gait analysis of running guinea fowls Bonnet, A. August 2018 (Published) BibTeX
Dynamic Locomotion Article Oncilla robot: a versatile open-source quadruped research robot with compliant pantograph legs Sproewitz, A., Tuleu, A., Ajallooeian, M., Vespignani, M., Moeckel, R., Eckert, P., D’Haene, M., Degrave, J., Nordmann, A., Schrauwen, B., Steil, J., Ijspeert, A. J. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 5(67), June 2018, arXiv: 1803.06259 (Published)
We present Oncilla robot, a novel mobile, quadruped legged locomotion machine. This large-cat sized, 5.1 robot is one of a kind of a recent, bioinspired legged robot class designed with the capability of model-free locomotion control. Animal legged locomotion in rough terrain is clearly shaped by sensor feedback systems. Results with Oncilla robot show that agile and versatile locomotion is possible without sensory signals to some extend, and tracking becomes robust when feedback control is added (Ajaoolleian 2015). By incorporating mechanical and control blueprints inspired from animals, and by observing the resulting robot locomotion characteristics, we aim to understand the contribution of individual components. Legged robots have a wide mechanical and control design parameter space, and a unique potential as research tools to investigate principles of biomechanics and legged locomotion control. But the hardware and controller design can be a steep initial hurdle for academic research. To facilitate the easy start and development of legged robots, Oncilla-robot's blueprints are available through open-source. [...]
c4science repository DOI URL BibTeX
Dynamic Locomotion Conference Paper Learning from Outside the Viability Kernel: Why we Should Build Robots that can Fail with Grace Heim, S., Sproewitz, A. Proceedings of SIMPAR 2018, 55-61, IEEE, 2018 IEEE International Conference on Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots (SIMPAR), May 2018 (Published) DOI URL BibTeX
Dynamic Locomotion Talk Impact of Trunk Orientation for Dynamic Bipedal Locomotion Drama, Ö. Dynamic Walking Conference, May 2018
Impact of trunk orientation for dynamic bipedal locomotion My research revolves around investigating the functional demands of bipedal running, with focus on stabilizing trunk orientation. When we think about postural stability, there are two critical questions we need to answer: What are the necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve and maintain trunk stability? I am concentrating on how morphology affects control strategies in achieving trunk stability. In particular, I denote the trunk pitch as the predominant morphology parameter and explore the requirements it imposes on a chosen control strategy. To analyze this, I use a spring loaded inverted pendulum model extended with a rigid trunk, which is actuated by a hip motor. The challenge for the controller design here is to have a single hip actuator to achieve two coupled tasks of moving the legs to generate motion and stabilizing the trunk. I enforce orthograde and pronograde postures and aim to identify the effect of these trunk orientations on the hip torque and ground reaction profiles for different control strategies.
Impact of trunk orientation for dynamic bipedal locomotion [DW 2018] URL BibTeX
Dynamic Locomotion Conference Paper Shaping in Practice: Training Wheels to Learn Fast Hopping Directly in Hardware Heim, S., Ruppert, F., Sarvestani, A., Sproewitz, A. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2018, 5076-5081, IEEE, International Conference on Robotics and Automation, May 2018 (Published)
Learning instead of designing robot controllers can greatly reduce engineering effort required, while also emphasizing robustness. Despite considerable progress in simulation, applying learning directly in hardware is still challenging, in part due to the necessity to explore potentially unstable parameters. We explore the of concept shaping the reward landscape with training wheels; temporary modifications of the physical hardware that facilitate learning. We demonstrate the concept with a robot leg mounted on a boom learning to hop fast. This proof of concept embodies typical challenges such as instability and contact, while being simple enough to empirically map out and visualize the reward landscape. Based on our results we propose three criteria for designing effective training wheels for learning in robotics.
Video Youtube URL BibTeX
Dynamic Locomotion Bachelor Thesis Untersuchung und Charakterisierung von Teilelementen der Modifikation im Lumbosacralbereich von Vögeln Richter, J. Hochschule Harz, 2018 BibTeX