Miomir Vukobratović

Bio: Miomir Vukobratović is an academic researcher from Mihajlo Pupin Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Robot & Robot control. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 208 publications receiving 8465 citations.

Zero-moment point — thirty five years of its life

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the permanence of the concept of Zero-Moment Point, widelyknown by the acronym ZMP. Thirty-five years have elapsed since its implicit presentation (actually before being named ZMP) to the scientific community and thirty-three years since it was explicitly introduced and clearly elaborated, initially in the leading journals published in English. Its first practical demonstration took place in Japan in 1984, at Waseda University, Laboratory of Ichiro Kato, in the first dynamically balanced robot WL-10RD of the robotic family WABOT. The paper gives an in-depth discussion of source results concerning ZMP, paying particular attention to some delicate issues that may lead to confusion if this method is applied in a mechanistic manner onto irregular cases of artificial gait, i.e. in the case of loss of dynamic balance of a humanoid robot. After a short survey of the history of the origin of ZMP a very detailed elaboration of ZMP notion is given, with a special review concerning “boundary cases” when the ZMP is close to the edge of the support polygon and “fictious cases” when the ZMP should be outside the support polygon. In addition, the difference between ZMP and the center of pressure is pointed out. Finally, some unresolved or insufficiently treated phenomena that may yield a significant improvement in robot performance are considered.

On the stability of anthropomorphic systems

Abstract: This contribution treats definitions, dynamic aspects, and stability concepts of anthropomorphic systems. In addition to general conclusions about the new method of two-legged systems modelling, there are given some characteristic schemes of perturbed steady-gait regime stabilization.

Contribution to the Synthesis of Biped Gait

Abstract: The connection between the dynamics of an object and the algorithmic level has been modified in this paper, based on two-level control. The central modification consists in introducing feedbacks, that is, a system of regulators at the level of the formed typed of gait only. Such a modification originates from the assumption that a very narrow class of gait types needs to be taken into account when generating the gait. In the paper the gait has been formed on the basis of a fixed program having a kinematic-dynamic character. The kinematic part concerns the kinematic programnmed connections for activating the lower extremities, while the dynamic part exposes appropriate changes in the characteristic coordinates of the compensation system. Such a connection with a minimum number of coordinates extends the possibility of solving the problem of equilibrium in motion for one type of gait without any particular algorithm that would take into account the motion coordinates and form out of them a stable motion at a higher algebraic level.

Biped Locomotion: Dynamics, Stability, Control and Application

Abstract: Contents: Dynamics of Biped Locomotion.- Synthesis of Nominal Dynamics.- Control and Stability.- Realization of Anthropomorphic Mechanisms.- References.- Subject Index.

On the Stability of Biped Locomotion

Abstract: The stability of legged machines in locomotion is considered. The general machine has a rigid body to which legs are attached. Locomotion is performed on level smooth surfaces.

Biped walking pattern generation by using preview control of zero-moment point

Abstract: We introduce a new method of a biped walking pattern generation by using a preview control of the zero-moment point (ZMP). First, the dynamics of a biped robot is modeled as a running cart on a table which gives a convenient representation to treat ZMP. After reviewing conventional methods of ZMP based pattern generation, we formalize the problem as the design of a ZMP tracking servo controller. It is shown that we can realize such controller by adopting the preview control theory that uses the future reference. It is also shown that a preview controller can be used to compensate the ZMP error caused by the difference between a simple model and the precise multibody model. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by a simulation of walking on spiral stairs.

Zero-moment point — thirty five years of its life

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the permanence of the concept of Zero-Moment Point, widelyknown by the acronym ZMP. Thirty-five years have elapsed since its implicit presentation (actually before being named ZMP) to the scientific community and thirty-three years since it was explicitly introduced and clearly elaborated, initially in the leading journals published in English. Its first practical demonstration took place in Japan in 1984, at Waseda University, Laboratory of Ichiro Kato, in the first dynamically balanced robot WL-10RD of the robotic family WABOT. The paper gives an in-depth discussion of source results concerning ZMP, paying particular attention to some delicate issues that may lead to confusion if this method is applied in a mechanistic manner onto irregular cases of artificial gait, i.e. in the case of loss of dynamic balance of a humanoid robot. After a short survey of the history of the origin of ZMP a very detailed elaboration of ZMP notion is given, with a special review concerning “boundary cases” when the ZMP is close to the edge of the support polygon and “fictious cases” when the ZMP should be outside the support polygon. In addition, the difference between ZMP and the center of pressure is pointed out. Finally, some unresolved or insufficiently treated phenomena that may yield a significant improvement in robot performance are considered.

Lower Extremity Exoskeletons and Active Orthoses: Challenges and State-of-the-Art

Abstract: In the nearly six decades since researchers began to explore methods of creating them, exoskeletons have progressed from the stuff of science fiction to nearly commercialized products. While there are still many challenges associated with exoskeleton development that have yet to be perfected, the advances in the field have been enormous. In this paper, we review the history and discuss the state-of-the-art of lower limb exoskeletons and active orthoses. We provide a design overview of hardware, actuation, sensory, and control systems for most of the devices that have been described in the literature, and end with a discussion of the major advances that have been made and hurdles yet to be overcome.