More efficient and reliable robotic-control systems
Thursday, March 21, 2013 - 08:00
in Mathematics & Economics
When a robot is moving one of its limbs through free space, its behavior is well-described by a few simple equations. But as soon as it strikes something solid—when a walking robot's foot hits the ground, or a grasping robot's hand touches an object—those equations break down. Roboticists typically use ad hoc control strategies to negotiate collisions and then revert to their rigorous mathematical models when the robot begins to move again.