Tracking control for an object in pushing operation

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the problem of making a manipulator push an object on a flat floor with a point of contact to a desired position. A manipulator control method for the object to follow a planned trajectory is proposed. First, using the given distribution of frictional forces between the object and the floor, we find a particular point, named pseudo center, on which the motion of the pushed object can be approximated by the motion of a wheeled mobile robot on its center. Then, a control rule for the pushing operation is derived by applying a tracking control rule for a nonholonomic mobile robot at the pseudo center. This method makes it possible for the robot to perform the tracking control in the pushing operation. A simulation result shows the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, we present an approach for using a mobile manipulator to realize the pushing operation. Experimental verification of the proposed method was performed and the result is described. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.