An approach to automated programming of industrial robots

Abstract

This project develops a "teach-by showing" approach that permits unskilled users to program robots by physically demonstrating examples of a task to a trainable controller. Each example may be shown in one of three ways: by direct demonstration, by placing the robot in a zero-force mode and physically leading it through the task, or by operating the robot in a master/slave mode. During each demonstration, both the sensor inputs to the robot controller and the control outputs from the controller are presented to the training system. Following the demonstrations, the training system then produces a prototype procedural program suitable for downloading into a commercial robot controller. Unlike the conventional program development process, the operator need not postulate about the value of sensor feedback variables required at a particular level of the controller. Examples of successful, but perhaps quite different task strategies can be demonstrated by the human teacher until the robot system is capable of successful autonomous operation.