03800nas a2200481 4500008004100000022001400041245007800055210006900133260001200202300001100214490000700225520254400232653001302776100002302789700002002812700001702832700001302849700002002862700001602882700001602898700001702914700001502931700001902946700001502965700001902980700001602999700001503015700001603030700001103046700001603057700001703073700001703090700002003107700001603127700001903143700001903162700001403181700001503195700001503210700001403225700001703239856006203256 2017 eng d a1556-496700aWALK-MAN: A High-Performance Humanoid Platform for Realistic Environments0 aWALKMAN A HighPerformance Humanoid Platform for Realistic Enviro c06/2017 a1 - 340 v343 a

In this work, we present WALK-MAN, a humanoid platform that has been developed to operate in realistic unstructured environment, and demonstrate new skills including powerful manipulation, robust balanced locomotion, high-strength capabilities, and physical sturdiness. To enable these capabilities, WALK-MAN design and actuation are based on the most recent advancements of series elastic actuator drives with unique performance features that differentiate the robot from previous state-of-the-art compliant actuated robots. Physical interaction performance is benefited by both active and passive adaptation, thanks to WALK-MAN actuation that combines customized high-performance modules with tuned torque/velocity curves and transmission elasticity for high-speed adaptation response and motion reactions to disturbances. WALK-MAN design also includes innovative design optimization features that consider the selection of kinematic structure and the placement of the actuators with the body structure to maximize the robot performance. Physical robustness is ensured with the integration of elastic transmission, proprioceptive sensing, and control. The WALK-MAN hardware was designed and built in 11 months, and the prototype of the robot was ready four months before DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Finals. The motion generation of WALK-MAN is based on the unified motion-generation framework of whole-body locomotion and manipulation (termed loco-manipulation). WALK-MAN is able to execute simple loco-manipulation behaviors synthesized by combining different primitives defining the behavior of the center of gravity, the motion of the hands, legs, and head, the body attitude and posture, and the constrained body parts such as joint limits and contacts. The motion-generation framework including the specific motion modules and software architecture is discussed in detail. A rich perception system allows the robot to perceive and generate 3D representations of the environment as well as detect contacts and sense physical interaction force and moments. The operator station that pilots use to control the robot provides a rich pilot interface with different control modes and a number of teleoperated or semiautonomous command features. The capability of the robot and the performance of the individual motion control and perception modules were validated during the DRC in which the robot was able to demonstrate exceptional physical resilience and execute some of the tasks during the competition.

10aRobotics1 aTsagarakis, N., G.1 aCaldwell, D. G.1 aNegrello, F.1 aChoi, W.1 aBaccelliere, L.1 aLoc, V., G.1 aNoorden, J.1 aMuratore, L.1 aMargan, A.1 aCardellino, A.1 aNatale, L.1 aHoffman, Mingo1 aDallali, H.1 aKashiri, N1 aMalzahn, J.1 aLee, J1 aKryczka, P.1 aKanoulas, D.1 aGarabini, M.1 aCatalano, M. G.1 aFerrati, M.1 aVarricchio, V.1 aPallottino, L.1 aPavan, C.1 aBicchi, A.1 aSettimi, A1 aRocchi, A1 aAjoudani, A. uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rob.21702/epdf01788nas a2200181 4500008003900000020002300039245007300062210007100135260004300206520121200249653001301461100001501474700001701489700001601506700001601522700001901538856004901557 2016 d a978-1-5090-4718-5 00aMotion Primitive Based Random Planning for Loco–Manipulation Tasks0 aMotion Primitive Based Random Planning for Loco–Manipulation Tas aCancun, Mexico, 15-17 Nov. 2016 bIEEE3 a

Several advanced control laws are available for
complex robotic systems such as humanoid robots and mobile
manipulators. Controls are usually developed for locomotion or
for manipulation purposes. Resulting motions are usually executed
sequentially and the potentiality of the robotic platform
is not fully exploited.
In this work we consider the problem of loco–manipulation
planning for a robot with given parametrized control laws
known as primitives. Such primitives, may have not been
designed to be executed simultaneously and by composing
them instability may easily arise. With the proposed approach,
primitives combination that guarantee stability of the system
are obtained resulting in complex whole–body behavior.
A formal definition of motion primitives is provided and a
random sampling approach on a manifold with limited dimension
is investigated. Probabilistic completeness and asymptotic
optimality are also proved. The proposed approach is tested
both on a mobile manipulator and on the humanoid robot
Walk-Man, performing loco–manipulation tasks.

10aRobotics1 aSettimi, A1 aCaporale, D.1 aKryczka, P.1 aFerrati, M.1 aPallottino, L. uhttp://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7803402/01944nas a2200217 4500008003900000245008800039210006900127260004600196300001600242520124600258653001301504100001701517700001701534700002001551700001601571700001301587700002001600700001501620700002301635856006801658 2016 d00a WALK-MAN humanoid lower body design optimization for enhanced physical performance0 aWALKMAN humanoid lower body design optimization for enhanced phy aStockholm, Sweden, May 16-21, 2016 bIEEE a1817 - 18243 a
The deployment of robots to assist in environments hostile for humans during emergency scenarios require robots to demonstrate enhanced physical performance, that includes adequate power, adaptability and robustness to physical interactions and efficient operation. This work presents the design and development of the lower body of the new high performance humanoid WALK-MAN, a robot developed recently to assist in disaster response scenarios. The paper introduces the details of the WALK-MAN lower-body, highlighting the innovative design optimization features considered to maximize the leg performance. Starting from the general lower body specifications the objectives of the design and how they were addressed are introduced, including the selection of the leg kinematics, the arrangement of the actuators and their integration with the leg structure to maximize the range of motion, reduce the leg mass and inertia, and shape the leg mass distribution for better dynamic performance. Physical robustness is ensured with the integration of elastic transmission and impact energy absorbing covers. Experimental walking trials demonstrate the correct operation of the legs while executing a walking gait.
10aRobotics1 aNegrello, F.1 aGarabini, M.1 aCatalano, M. G.1 aKryczka, P.1 aChoi, W.1 aCaldwell, D. G.1 aBicchi, A.1 aTsagarakis, N., G. uhttp://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=7487327