Real-time-based control system for a group of autonomous walking robots

Authors: Zielińska, Teresa; Heng, John

Source: Advanced Robotics, Volume 20, Number 5, 2006 , pp. 543-561(19)

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Abstract:

The design target of complex control systems for novel robots with advanced motion abilities is to produce controllers (hardware and software) which are easy to program, re-program and debug. Those systems must be enabled to implement different motion principles with different hardware extensions (actuators, sensors, etc.). This paper introduces the problem of evaluation of hardware architecture together with the hardware type. We use the experience collected during realization of several prototypes of walking machines. The dedicated communication scheme elaborated for an embedded system is addressed in detail. The communication scheme can be used in every other system controlling the walking machine or controlling other robotic device. The navigation principles applied for a group of hexapods are briefly discussed for a better explanation of the functional structure of the implemented control system. The system actions are introduced. The system structure can be used for the control not only of a single mobile robot, but also a robot as a member of a group.

Keywords: CONTROL ENGINEERING; WALKING MACHINES; HETEROGENEOUS ROBOTICS; REAL-TIME CONTROL

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156855306776985568

Publication date: 2006-05-01