Human-Robot Co-Transportation with Uncertainty-Aware Pose Optimization and Control

Core Concepts

This paper proposes a novel control algorithm for human-robot co-transportation that adapts to human uncertainties through the robot's whole-body dynamics and pose optimization.

Abstract

The paper introduces a human uncertainty-aware Model Predictive Control (MPC) formulation for collaborative transportation tasks between a human and a mobile manipulator robot. The key contributions are: Modeling human uncertainties and the whole-body dynamics of the robot to formulate a new MPC tracking problem with pose optimization. Proposing a dual-phase optimization strategy that first computes the optimal control inputs considering human uncertainties, and then selects the best robot pose from a candidate set to minimize the estimated control cost. Providing theoretical derivation for the uncertainty-aware Discrete Algebraic Ricatti Equation (DARE) used in the MPC formulation. Validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach through simulated experiments and a proof-of-concept hardware demonstration using a Fetch robot. The results show that the proposed approach outperforms baseline algorithms in terms of tracking accuracy and energy consumption, while maintaining similar execution time.

Stats

The robot's mobile base has a discrete-time motion dynamics represented by a differential drive model. The robot's 7-DOF robotic arm is modeled with an additional 8th DOF for the base heading angle, resulting in an 8-DOF whole-body dynamics. The nominal trajectory to be tracked is defined as a 6D pose (3D position and 3D orientation) with the constraint that the board must maintain a horizontal orientation throughout the transportation.

Quotes

"We explicitly model and consider human uncertainties in MPC tracking problems. This approach allows us to estimate their impact on costs in terms of tracking errors and energy consumption when controlling the mobile base and robotic arm simultaneously." "Building on this, pose optimization enables the robot to dynamically adjust its joint angles to better compensate for uncertainties and reduce predicted costs."

Key Insights Distilled From

Human-Robot Co-Transportation with Human Uncertainty-Aware MPC and Pose Optimization

by Al Jaber Mah... at arxiv.org 04-02-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.00514.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can the proposed algorithm be extended to handle multiple human operators with varying uncertainty levels in a collaborative transportation task

To extend the proposed algorithm to handle multiple human operators with varying uncertainty levels in a collaborative transportation task, we can introduce a hierarchical approach. Each human operator can be assigned a specific weight or importance level based on their expertise or reliability. The algorithm can then incorporate these weights into the estimation of human uncertainties, allowing the system to adapt differently to each operator's behavior. By modeling and considering the uncertainties from multiple operators, the algorithm can dynamically adjust its control strategies to accommodate the varying levels of uncertainty. Additionally, the candidate set of joint angle combinations for pose optimization can be customized for each operator based on their historical performance or behavior patterns. This personalized approach can enhance the system's adaptability and efficiency in handling collaborative tasks with multiple human operators.

What are the potential limitations of using Euler angles to represent the end-effector orientation, and how could alternative orientation representations, such as quaternions or SO(3), be incorporated into the formulation

Using Euler angles to represent the end-effector orientation can lead to singularities and computational inefficiencies, especially in robotic systems with high degrees of freedom. Alternative orientation representations, such as quaternions or Special Orthogonal group (SO(3)), offer advantages in terms of numerical stability, compactness, and singularity avoidance. Quaternions, for example, provide a concise representation of orientation without the risk of gimbal lock, making them suitable for robotic applications. Incorporating quaternions or SO(3) into the formulation would involve modifying the forward kinematics equations and the Jacobian matrix calculations to work with these representations. By using quaternions or SO(3), the algorithm can improve its accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency in handling the end-effector orientation.

Can the pose optimization strategy be further improved by leveraging machine learning techniques to intelligently select the candidate set of joint angle combinations, rather than relying on a random sampling approach

The pose optimization strategy can be further enhanced by leveraging machine learning techniques to intelligently select the candidate set of joint angle combinations. Instead of relying on a random sampling approach, machine learning algorithms, such as reinforcement learning or genetic algorithms, can be used to learn the optimal joint angle combinations based on the system's performance and the desired objectives. By training a model on historical data or simulations, the machine learning algorithm can predict the most promising joint angle combinations for pose optimization, reducing the search space and improving the efficiency of the optimization process. This data-driven approach can lead to more informed and effective decisions in selecting the optimal poses for the robotic arm, enhancing the overall performance of the system.