A trajectory planning algorithm for redundant manipulators

Abstract

Redundant manipulators have some advantages when compared with classical arms because they allow trajectory optimization, both in free space and in the presence of obstacles, and the resolution of singularities. For this type of manipulators, several kinematic control algorithms adopt generalized inverse matrices. In this line of thought, the generalized inverse control scheme is tested through several experiments that reveal the difficulties that often arise. Motivated by these problems the paper presents a method that optimizes the manipulability through a least square rational function approximation, to determine the joints positions and studies the chaos revealed by the kinematics trajectory planning scheme, as well as its influence on the dynamics, when controlling redundant and hyper-redundant manipulators. The experiments confirm the superior performance of the proposed algorithm, for redundant and hyper-redundant manipulators, revealing several properties and give a deeper insight towards the future development of superior trajectory control algorithms.