Joint (building)

Related papers: 20

About

A joint, in the context of robotics and mechanical systems, is a connection point between two rigid or flexible bodies that allows relative motion — typically rotation (revolute) or translation (prismatic) — between linked segments. In robotic manipulators, joints are the fundamental building blocks of kinematic chains, enabling arms, hands, and legs to move through space by transmitting torques and forces from actuators to links. Each joint's position, velocity, and torque must be precisely measured and controlled to achieve accurate end-effector placement, making joint-space control a cornerstone of robot programming and motion planning. Joints matter enormously in robotics because their mechanical properties — stiffness, friction, flexibility, and inertia — directly govern a system's dynamic behavior, stability, and safety. Rigid joints offer precise control but can cause dangerous impact forces when colliding with unexpected obstacles. Variable stiffness and compliant joint designs, inspired by biological systems, allow robots to operate more safely alongside humans and adapt to uncertain environments. Understanding joint dynamics is therefore essential for simulation, calibration, adaptive control, and the development of next-generation robots capable of dexterous, safe, and energy-efficient operation.

Top Cited Papers

Dynamic analysis of flexible manipulators, a literature review

Santosha K. Dwivedy, Peter Eberhard

Citations: 855 • 2006

Efficient Dynamic Computer Simulation of Robotic Mechanisms

Michael Walker, David E. Orin

Citations: 815 • 1982

Control of Robot Manipulators in Joint Space

Rafael Kelly

Citations: 671 • 2005

Joint Cognitive Systems

Erik Hollnagel, David D. Woods

Citations: 646 • 2005

A new variable stiffness design: Matching requirements of the next robot generation

Sebastian Wolf, Gerd Hirzinger

Citations: 530 • 2008

Proceedings of the Twenty-Seventh International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence

Citations: 523 • 2018

Friction stir welding: Process, automation, and control

Brian Gibson, David H. Lammlein, Tracie Prater, William R. Longhurst, Chase Cox, M.C. Ballun, Kathryn J. Dharmaraj, Gerald Cook, Alvin M. Strauss

Citations: 506 • 2013

Robot arm dynamics and control

A.K. Bejczy

Citations: 440 • 1974

Control of Robot Manipulators in Joint Space

Citations: 436 • 2006

Dynamic manipulability of robot manipulators

T. Yoshikawa

Citations: 364 • 2005

Cartesian Impedance Control of Redundant and Flexible-Joint Robots

Christian Ott

Citations: 339 • 2008

Industrial Robot Forward Calibration Method and Results

Daniel E. Whitney, C. Lozinski, J. M. Rourke

Citations: 315 • 1986

Development of a high-speed multifingered hand system and its application to catching

Akio Namiki, Yasuo Imai, Masatoshi Ishikawa, Makoto Kaneko

Citations: 297 • 2004

Biologically Inspired Joint Stiffness Control

Shane A. Migliore, E.A. Brown, Stephen P. DeWeerth

Citations: 291 • 2006

Biomechanics of Knee Ligaments

Savio L‐Y. Woo, Richard E. Debski, John D. Withrow, Marsie A. Janaushek

Citations: 287 • 1999

Conventional controller design for industrial robots — A tutorial

J.Y.S. Luh

Citations: 280 • 1983

Adaptive control of robot manipulators with flexible joints

Rogelio Lozano, Bernard Brogliato

Citations: 265 • 1992

A Validated Three-Dimensional Computational Model of a Human Knee Joint

G. Li, Jorge E. Gil, Akira Kanamori, Savio L‐Y. Woo

Citations: 262 • 1999

The DLR FSJ: Energy based design of a variable stiffness joint

Sebastian Wolf, Oliver Eiberger, Gerd Hirzinger

Citations: 257 • 2011

Robust independent joint controller design for industrial robot manipulators

T.C. Hsia, Ty A. Lasky, Zhaomiao Guo

Citations: 237 • 1991