Biorobotics Laboratory BioRob

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Modeling of a real quadruped robot using Webots™ simulation platform

Jean-Christophe Fillion-Robin
Semester Project summer 2007

Abstract

The fundamental achievement of this project was the development of a three-dimensional model (a) that closely resembles the real quadruped robot (b). While the static characteristics of the model were validated against the actual ones of the real robot, the dynamical ones were defined by the results of applying the inverse kinematics model. These were considered best when compared to the ones yielded by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) of central pattern generator (CPG), an alternate method to determine the properties in question. The development of this model will serve as the foundation of a demonstration involving four to six robots playing on a virtual soccer field.


Introduction & Motivation

The modeling of a real robot is a complex and passionating challenge. On the crossing point of mechanics, physics and computer-science, the development of a complete model involves multiple tasks ranging from the 3D modeling of the different body parts, the measure of the different physic properties, the understanding of Webots™ simulator to the development of a central pattern generator or inverse kinematic model allowing the robot to move.


The project was built on the top of two cornerstones: the elaboration of an accurate model both efficient and realistic, and the development of a demo showing the capacities of Webots™ simulator to render a 3D model while simulating the physics.


Multiple component were developed allowing to ease the coding of the model, to validate easily the static characteristics, to distribute the optimization of a central pattern generator on cluster of computers.


Experimental results were gathered leading to clear conclusions. However, a additional test would validate the conclusions even further. There is still a large amount of work to be done and, with the report in hand any master-level engineering student should be able to take the project further. Despite of what is outstanding, the overall satisfaction at this point in time from both, team member and collaborators, is high. [Grade 6/6]


The report aims at describing the Bioloid kit used to build the robot, presenting the Webots™ simulator used to render and simulate the model, and, finally illustrating the different phases of the project.

Documents

Sample videos


Multiple optimization of CPGs by PSO are tried with a variable number of parameters, below are available videos illustrating the outcome of each experiment.

Bioloid walking on the soccer playground using a gait based on a reverse kinematic model.

Materials

Acknowledgments

It is my pleasure to acknowledge all the great people I had the opportunity to meet and/or work with over the last 6 months.







References


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