Phase-Space Modeling and Control of Robots in the Screw Theory Framework Using Geometric Algebra

Abstract

The following paper talks about the dynamic modeling and control of robot manipulators using Hamilton’s equations in the screw theory framework. The difference between the proposed work with diverse methods in the literature is the ease of obtaining the laws of control directly with screws and co-screws, which is considered modern robotics by diverse authors. In addition, geometric algebra (GA) is introduced as a simple and iterative tool to obtain screws and co-screws. On the other hand, such as the controllers, the Hamiltonian equations of motion (in the phase space) are developed using co-screws and screws, which is a novel approach to compute the dynamic equations for robots. Regarding the controllers, two laws of control are designed to ensure the error’s convergence to zero. The controllers are computed using the traditional feedback linearization and the sliding mode control theory. The first one is easy to program and the second theory provides robustness for matched disturbances. On the other hand, to prove the stability of the closed loop system, different Lyapunov functions are computed with co-screws and screws to guarantee its convergence to zero. Finally, diverse simulations are illustrated to show a comparison of the designed controllers with the most famous approaches.

Formalizing screw theory with 3D geometric algebra

“…[10,11]) for better comprehension. In recent literature, there has been some interest in deepening our understanding of screws as proper mathematical and physical objects [12], as well as in using GA objects in their construction instead of traditional vectors [13].…”