Planning approach for obstacle avoidance in complex environment using articulated redundant robot arm
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for planning a path by a processor to reach a target in a complex obstacle environment using an articulated redundant robot arm, comprising:
- generating possible trajectories for the robot arm from an initial point to a target point;
searching for a successful trajectory among the possible trajectories, where a trajectory is determined to be successful if the robot arm reaches the target while maintaining a certain minimum distance from obstacles along the entire trajectory and within a prescribed time limit;
when a successful trajectory is found, executing movement to the target point;
when a successful trajectory is not found;
generating a set of via points surrounding an obstacle using visual perception, each via point being an intermediary point in a path of movement of the robot arm from the initial point to the target point;
selecting an arm posture of the robot arm when positioned at each via point;
generating possible trajectories from;
each of the set of via points to the target point;
the initial point to each of the set of via points; and
each of the set of via points to each of the other set of via points;
whereby a successful trajectory from the initial point to one or more via points and to the target is found.
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Abstract
A planning approach for obstacle avoidance for a robot arm is disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to a planning approach for obstacle avoidance in complex environments for an articulated redundant robot arm which uses a set of via points surrounding an obstacle as an intermediary point between initial and target arm positions. Via points are generated using visual perception, and possible trajectories through the via points and to the target are rehearsed prior to execution of movement. The disclosed planning method solves the “local minima” problem in obstacle avoidance; a situation in which the obstacle avoidance vectors prevent the arm from making progress toward the target.
36 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for planning a path by a processor to reach a target in a complex obstacle environment using an articulated redundant robot arm, comprising:
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generating possible trajectories for the robot arm from an initial point to a target point; searching for a successful trajectory among the possible trajectories, where a trajectory is determined to be successful if the robot arm reaches the target while maintaining a certain minimum distance from obstacles along the entire trajectory and within a prescribed time limit; when a successful trajectory is found, executing movement to the target point; when a successful trajectory is not found; generating a set of via points surrounding an obstacle using visual perception, each via point being an intermediary point in a path of movement of the robot arm from the initial point to the target point; selecting an arm posture of the robot arm when positioned at each via point; generating possible trajectories from; each of the set of via points to the target point; the initial point to each of the set of via points; and each of the set of via points to each of the other set of via points;
whereby a successful trajectory from the initial point to one or more via points and to the target is found. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data processing system for planning a path by a processor to reach a target in a complex obstacle environment using an articulated redundant robot arm, comprising one or more processors configured to perform operations of:
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generating possible trajectories for the robot arm from an initial point to a target point; searching for a successful trajectory among the possible trajectories, where a trajectory is determined to be successful if the robot arm reaches the target while maintaining a certain minimum distance from obstacles along the entire trajectory and within a prescribed time limit; when a successful trajectory is found, executing movement to the target point; when a successful trajectory is not found; generating a set of via points surrounding an obstacle using visual perception, each via point being an intermediary point in a path of movement of the robot arm from the initial point to the target point; selecting an arm posture of the robot arm when positioned at each via point; generating possible trajectories from; each of the set of via points to the target point; the initial point to each of the set of via points; and each of the set of via points to each of the other set of via points;
whereby a successful trajectory from the initial point to one or more via points and to the target is found. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product for planning a path by a processor to reach a target in a complex obstacle environment using an articulated redundant robot arm, the computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means stored on a computer-readable medium that are executable by a computer having a processor for causing the processor to perform operations of:
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generating possible trajectories for the robot arm from an initial point to a target point; searching for a successful trajectory among the possible trajectories, where a trajectory is determined to be successful if the robot arm reaches the target while maintaining a certain minimum distance from obstacles along the entire trajectory and within a prescribed time limit; when a successful trajectory is found, executing movement to the target point; when a successful trajectory is not found; generating a set of via points surrounding an obstacle using visual perception, each via point being an intermediary point in a path of movement of the robot arm from the initial point to the target point; selecting an arm posture of the robot arm when positioned at each via point; generating possible trajectories from; each of the set of via points to the target point; the initial point to each of the set of via points; and each of the set of via points to each of the other set of via points;
whereby a successful trajectory from the initial point to one or more via points and to the target is found. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification