Publications | Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

dlg Ajallooeian, M., Pouya, S., Spröwitz, A., Ijspeert, A. J. Central pattern generators augmented with virtual model control for quadruped rough terrain locomotion In Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pages: 3321-3328, IEEE, Karlsruhe, 2013 (inproceedings)

Motor Control Adaptation to Changes in Robot Body Dynamics for a Compliant Quadruped Robot

Pouya, S., Eckert, P., Spröwitz, A., Moc̈kel, R., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, 8064, pages: 434-437, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer, Heidelberg, 2013 (incollection)

Abstract

One of the major deficiencies of current robots in comparison to living beings is the ability to adapt to new conditions either resulting from environmental changes or their own dynamics. In this work we focus on situations where the robot experiences involuntary changes in its body particularly in its limbs’ inertia. Inspired from its biological counterparts we are interested in enabling the robot to adapt its motor control to the new system dynamics. To reach this goal, we propose two different control strategies and compare their performance when handling these modifications. Our results show substantial improvements in adaptivity to body changes when the robot is aware of its new dynamics and can exploit this knowledge in synthesising new motor control.

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dlg Pouya, S., Eckert, P., Spröwitz, A., Moc̈kel, R., Ijspeert, A. J. Motor Control Adaptation to Changes in Robot Body Dynamics for a Compliant Quadruped Robot In Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, 8064, pages: 434-437, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer, Heidelberg, 2013 (incollection)

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Towards Dynamic Trot Gait Locomotion: Design, Control, and Experiments with Cheetah-cub, a Compliant Quadruped Robot

Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Ajallooeian, M., Badri, E., Ijspeert, A. J.

{The International Journal of Robotics Research}, 32(8):932-950, Sage Publications, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 2013 (article)

Abstract

We present the design of a novel compliant quadruped robot, called Cheetah-cub, and a series of locomotion experiments with fast trotting gaits. The robot’s leg configuration is based on a spring-loaded, pantograph mechanism with multiple segments. A dedicated open-loop locomotion controller was derived and implemented. Experiments were run in simulation and in hardware on flat terrain and with a step down, demonstrating the robot’s self-stabilizing properties. The robot reached a running trot with short flight phases with a maximum Froude number of FR = 1.30, or 6.9 body lengths per second. Morphological parameters such as the leg design also played a role. By adding distal in-series elasticity, self- stability and maximum robot speed improved. Our robot has several advantages, especially when compared with larger and stiffer quadruped robot designs. (1) It is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the fastest of all quadruped robots below 30 kg (in terms of Froude number and body lengths per second). (2) It shows self-stabilizing behavior over a large range of speeds with open-loop control. (3) It is lightweight, compact, and electrically powered. (4) It is cheap, easy to reproduce, robust, and safe to handle. This makes it an excellent tool for research of multi-segment legs in quadruped robots.

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dlg Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Ajallooeian, M., Badri, E., Ijspeert, A. J. Towards Dynamic Trot Gait Locomotion: Design, Control, and Experiments with Cheetah-cub, a Compliant Quadruped Robot {The International Journal of Robotics Research}, 32(8):932-950, Sage Publications, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 2013 (article)

Youtube1 Youtube2 Youtube3 Youtube4 Youtube5 DOI Project Page [BibTex]

Gait Optimization for Roombots Modular Robots - Matching Simulation and Reality

Möckel, R., Yura, N. P., The Nguyen, A., Vespignani, M., Bonardi, S., Pouya, S., Spröwitz, A., van den Kieboom, J., Wilhelm, F., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, pages: 3265-3272, IEEE, Tokyo, 2013 (inproceedings)

Abstract

The design of efficient locomotion gaits for robots with many degrees of freedom is challenging and time consuming even if optimization techniques are applied. Control parameters can be found through optimization in two ways: (i) through online optimization where the performance of a robot is measured while trying different control parameters on the actual hardware and (ii) through offline optimization by simulating the robot’s behavior with the help of models of the robot and its environment. In this paper, we present a hybrid optimization method that combines the best properties of online and offline optimization to efficiently find locomotion gaits for arbitrary structures. In comparison to pure online optimization, both the number of experiments using robotic hardware as well as the total time required for finding efficient locomotion gaits get highly reduced by running the major part of the optimization process in simulation using a cluster of processors. The presented example shows that even for robots with a low number of degrees of freedom the time required for optimization can be reduced by a factor of 2.5 to 30, at least, depending on how extensive the search for optimized control parameters should be. Time for hardware experiments becomes minimal. More importantly, gaits that can possibly damage the robotic hardware can be filtered before being tried in hardware. Yet in contrast to pure offline optimization, we reach well matched behavior that allows a direct transfer of locomotion gaits from simulation to hardware. This is because through a meta-optimization we adapt not only the locomotion parameters but also the parameters for simulation models of the robot and environment allowing for a good matching of the robot behavior in simulation and hardware. We validate the proposed hybrid optimization method on a structure composed of two Roombots modules with a total number of six degrees of freedom. Roombots are self-reconfigurable modular robots that can form arbitrary structures with many degrees of freedom through an integrated active connection mechanism.

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dlg Möckel, R., Yura, N. P., The Nguyen, A., Vespignani, M., Bonardi, S., Pouya, S., Spröwitz, A., van den Kieboom, J., Wilhelm, F., Ijspeert, A. J. Gait Optimization for Roombots Modular Robots - Matching Simulation and Reality In Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, pages: 3265-3272, IEEE, Tokyo, 2013 (inproceedings)

Efficient 3D Object Perception and Grasp Planning for Mobile Manipulation in Domestic Environments

Stueckler, J., Steffens, R., Holz, D., Behnke, S.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), 61(10):1106-1115, 2013 (article)

ev Stueckler, J., Steffens, R., Holz, D., Behnke, S. Efficient 3D Object Perception and Grasp Planning for Mobile Manipulation in Domestic Environments Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), 61(10):1106-1115, 2013 (article)

NimbRo@Home: Winning Team of the RoboCup@Home Competition 2012

Stueckler, J., Badami, I., Droeschel, D., Gräve, K., Holz, D., McElhone, M., Nieuwenhuisen, M., Schreiber, M., Schwarz, M., Behnke, S.

In RoboCup 2012, Robot Soccer World Cup XVI, pages: 94-105, Springer, 2013 (inbook)

ev Stueckler, J., Badami, I., Droeschel, D., Gräve, K., Holz, D., McElhone, M., Nieuwenhuisen, M., Schreiber, M., Schwarz, M., Behnke, S. NimbRo@Home: Winning Team of the RoboCup@Home Competition 2012 In RoboCup 2012, Robot Soccer World Cup XVI, pages: 94-105, Springer, 2013 (inbook)

Modular Control of Limit Cycle Locomotion over Unperceived Rough Terrain

Ajallooeian, M., Gay, S., Tuleu, A., Spröwitz, A., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Proceedings of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, 2013, pages: 3390-3397, Tokyo, 2013 (inproceedings)

Abstract

We present a general approach to design modular controllers for limit cycle locomotion over unperceived rough terrain. The control strategy uses a Central Pattern Generator (CPG) model implemented as coupled nonlinear oscillators as basis. Stumbling correction and leg extension reflexes are implemented as feedbacks for fast corrections, and model-based posture control mechanisms define feedbacks for continuous corrections. The control strategy is validated on a detailed physics-based simulated model of a compliant quadruped robot, the Oncilla robot. We demonstrate dynamic locomotion with a speed of more than 1.5 BodyLength/s over unperceived uneven terrains, steps, and slopes.

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dlg Ajallooeian, M., Gay, S., Tuleu, A., Spröwitz, A., Ijspeert, A. J. Modular Control of Limit Cycle Locomotion over Unperceived Rough Terrain In Proceedings of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, 2013, pages: 3390-3397, Tokyo, 2013 (inproceedings)

Horse-Like Walking, Trotting, and Galloping derived from Kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs) and their Application to Walk/Trot Transitions in a Compliant Quadruped Robot

Moro, F., Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Tsagakiris, N. G., Ijspeert, A. J., Caldwell, D. G.

Biological Cybernetics, 107(3):309-320, 2013 (article)

Abstract

This manuscript proposes a method to directly transfer the features of horse walking, trotting, and galloping to a quadruped robot, with the aim of creating a much more natural (horse-like) locomotion profile. A principal component analysis on horse joint trajectories shows that walk, trot, and gallop can be described by a set of four kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs). These kMPs are used to generate valid, stable gaits that are tested on a compliant quadruped robot. Tests on the effects of gait frequency scaling as follows: results indicate a speed optimal walking frequency around 3.4 Hz, and an optimal trotting frequency around 4 Hz. Following, a criterion to synthesize gait transitions is proposed, and the walk/trot transitions are successfully tested on the robot. The performance of the robot when the transitions are scaled in frequency is evaluated by means of roll and pitch angle phase plots.

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dlg Moro, F., Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Tsagakiris, N. G., Ijspeert, A. J., Caldwell, D. G. Horse-Like Walking, Trotting, and Galloping derived from Kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs) and their Application to Walk/Trot Transitions in a Compliant Quadruped Robot Biological Cybernetics, 107(3):309-320, 2013 (article)

Efficient Dense 3D Rigid-Body Motion Segmentation in RGB-D Video

Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the British Machine Vision Conference (BMVC), 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Efficient Dense 3D Rigid-Body Motion Segmentation in RGB-D Video In Proc. of the British Machine Vision Conference (BMVC), 2013 (inproceedings)

Mobile bin picking with an anthropomorphic service robot

Nieuwenhuisen, M., Droeschel, D., Holz, D., Stueckler, J., Berner, A., Li, J., Klein, R., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pages: 2327-2334, May 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Nieuwenhuisen, M., Droeschel, D., Holz, D., Stueckler, J., Berner, A., Li, J., Klein, R., Behnke, S. Mobile bin picking with an anthropomorphic service robot In Proc. of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pages: 2327-2334, May 2013 (inproceedings)

Behavior as broken symmetry in embodied self-organizing robots

Der, R., Martius, G.

In Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013, pages: 601-608, MIT Press, 2013 (incollection)

al Der, R., Martius, G. Behavior as broken symmetry in embodied self-organizing robots In Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013, pages: 601-608, MIT Press, 2013 (incollection)

Information Driven Self-Organization of Complex Robotic Behaviors

Martius, G., Der, R., Ay, N.

PLoS ONE, 8(5):e63400, Public Library of Science, 2013 (article)

al Martius, G., Der, R., Ay, N. Information Driven Self-Organization of Complex Robotic Behaviors PLoS ONE, 8(5):e63400, Public Library of Science, 2013 (article)

Multi-resolution surfel mapping and real-time pose tracking using a continuously rotating 2D laser scanner

Schadler, M., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the IEEE International Symposium on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR), pages: 1-6, October 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Schadler, M., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Multi-resolution surfel mapping and real-time pose tracking using a continuously rotating 2D laser scanner In Proc. of the IEEE International Symposium on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR), pages: 1-6, October 2013 (inproceedings)

Joint detection and pose tracking of multi-resolution surfel models in RGB-D

McElhone, M., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the European Conference on Mobile Robots (ECMR), pages: 131-137, IEEE, 2013 (inproceedings)

ev McElhone, M., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Joint detection and pose tracking of multi-resolution surfel models in RGB-D In Proc. of the European Conference on Mobile Robots (ECMR), pages: 131-137, IEEE, 2013 (inproceedings)

Distinctive 3D surface entropy features for place recognition.

Fiolka, T., Stueckler, J., Klein, D. A., Schulz, D., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the European Conference on Mobile Robots (ECMR), pages: 204-209, IEEE, 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Fiolka, T., Stueckler, J., Klein, D. A., Schulz, D., Behnke, S. Distinctive 3D surface entropy features for place recognition. In Proc. of the European Conference on Mobile Robots (ECMR), pages: 204-209, IEEE, 2013 (inproceedings)

Linear combination of one-step predictive information with an external reward in an episodic policy gradient setting: a critical analysis

Zahedi, K., Martius, G., Ay, N.

Frontiers in Psychology, 4(801), 2013 (article)

Abstract

One of the main challenges in the field of embodied artificial intelligence is the open-ended autonomous learning of complex behaviours. Our approach is to use task-independent, information-driven intrinsic motivation(s) to support task-dependent learning. The work presented here is a preliminary step in which we investigate the predictive information (the mutual information of the past and future of the sensor stream) as an intrinsic drive, ideally supporting any kind of task acquisition. Previous experiments have shown that the predictive information (PI) is a good candidate to support autonomous, open-ended learning of complex behaviours, because a maximisation of the PI corresponds to an exploration of morphology- and environment-dependent behavioural regularities. The idea is that these regularities can then be exploited in order to solve any given task. Three different experiments are presented and their results lead to the conclusion that the linear combination of the one-step PI with an external reward function is not generally recommended in an episodic policy gradient setting. Only for hard tasks a great speed-up can be achieved at the cost of an asymptotic performance lost.

al Zahedi, K., Martius, G., Ay, N. Linear combination of one-step predictive information with an external reward in an episodic policy gradient setting: a critical analysis Frontiers in Psychology, 4(801), 2013 (article)

Combining contour and shape primitives for object detection and pose estimation of prefabricated parts

Berner, A., Li, J., Holz, D., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S., Klein, R.

In Proc. of the 20th IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), pages: 3326-3330, sep 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Berner, A., Li, J., Holz, D., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S., Klein, R. Combining contour and shape primitives for object detection and pose estimation of prefabricated parts In Proc. of the 20th IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), pages: 3326-3330, sep 2013 (inproceedings)

Robustness of guided self-organization against sensorimotor disruptions

Martius, G.

Advances in Complex Systems, 16(02n03):1350001, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Self-organizing processes are crucial for the development of living beings. Practical applications in robots may benefit from the self-organization of behavior, e.g.~to increase fault tolerance and enhance flexibility, provided that external goals can also be achieved. We present results on the guidance of self-organizing control by visual target stimuli and show a remarkable robustness to sensorimotor disruptions. In a proof of concept study an autonomous wheeled robot is learning an object finding and ball-pushing task from scratch within a few minutes in continuous domains. The robustness is demonstrated by the rapid recovery of the performance after severe changes of the sensor configuration.

al Martius, G. Robustness of guided self-organization against sensorimotor disruptions Advances in Complex Systems, 16(02n03):1350001, 2013 (article)

Hierarchical Object Discovery and Dense Modelling From Motion Cues in RGB-D Video

Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the 23rd International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), IJCAI/AAAI, 2013 (inproceedings)

ev Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Hierarchical Object Discovery and Dense Modelling From Motion Cues in RGB-D Video In Proc. of the 23rd International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI), IJCAI/AAAI, 2013 (inproceedings)

2008

Learning to Move in Modular Robots using Central Pattern Generators and Online Optimization

Spröwitz, A., Moeckel, R., Maye, J., Ijspeert, A. J.

The International Journal of Robotics Research, 27(3-4):423-443, 2008 (article)

Abstract

This article addresses the problem of how modular robotics systems, i.e. systems composed of multiple modules that can be configured into different robotic structures, can learn to locomote. In particular, we tackle the problems of online learning, that is, learning while moving, and the problem of dealing with unknown arbitrary robotic structures. We propose a framework for learning locomotion controllers based on two components: a central pattern generator (CPG) and a gradient-free optimization algorithm referred to as Powell's method. The CPG is implemented as a system of coupled nonlinear oscillators in our YaMoR modular robotic system, with one oscillator per module. The nonlinear oscillators are coupled together across modules using Bluetooth communication to obtain specific gaits, i.e. synchronized patterns of oscillations among modules. Online learning involves running the Powell optimization algorithm in parallel with the CPG model, with the speed of locomotion being the criterion to be optimized. Interesting aspects of the optimization include the fact that it is carried out online, the robots do not require stopping or resetting and it is fast. We present results showing the interesting properties of this framework for a modular robotic system. In particular, our CPG model can readily be implemented in a distributed system, it is computationally cheap, it exhibits limit cycle behavior (temporary perturbations are rapidly forgotten), it produces smooth trajectories even when control parameters are abruptly changed and it is robust against imperfect communication among modules. We also present results of learning to move with three different robot structures. Interesting locomotion modes are obtained after running the optimization for less than 60 minutes.

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2008

dlg Spröwitz, A., Moeckel, R., Maye, J., Ijspeert, A. J. Learning to Move in Modular Robots using Central Pattern Generators and Online Optimization The International Journal of Robotics Research, 27(3-4):423-443, 2008 (article)

Hierarchical Reactive Control for Humanoid Soccer Robots

Behnke, S., Stueckler, J.

International Journal of Humanoid Robots (IJHR), 5(3):375-396, 2008 (article)

ev Behnke, S., Stueckler, J. Hierarchical Reactive Control for Humanoid Soccer Robots International Journal of Humanoid Robots (IJHR), 5(3):375-396, 2008 (article)

Passive compliant quadruped robot using central pattern generators for locomotion control

Rutishauser, S., Spröwitz, A., Righetti, L., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Proceedings of the 2008 2nd Biennial IEEE/RAS-EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, pages: 710-715, IEEE, Scottsdale, AZ, 2008 (inproceedings)

Abstract

We present a new quadruped robot, “Cheetah”, featuring three-segment pantographic legs with passive compliant knee joints. Each leg has two degrees of freedom - knee and hip joint can be actuated using proximal mounted RC servo motors, force transmission to the knee is achieved by means of a Bowden cable mechanism. Simple electronics to command the actuators from a desktop computer have been designed in order to test the robot. A Central Pattern Generator (CPG) network has been implemented to generate different gaits. A parameter space search was performed and tested on the robot to optimize forward velocity.

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dlg Rutishauser, S., Spröwitz, A., Righetti, L., Ijspeert, A. J. Passive compliant quadruped robot using central pattern generators for locomotion control In Proceedings of the 2008 2nd Biennial IEEE/RAS-EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, pages: 710-715, IEEE, Scottsdale, AZ, 2008 (inproceedings)

Graph signature for self-reconfiguration planning

Asadpour, M., Spröwitz, A., Billard, A., Dillenbourg, P., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, pages: 863-869, IEEE, Nice, 2008 (inproceedings)

Abstract

This project incorporates modular robots as build- ing blocks for furniture that moves and self-reconfigures. The reconfiguration is done using dynamic connection / disconnection of modules and rotations of the degrees of freedom. This paper introduces a new approach to self-reconfiguration planning for modular robots based on the graph signature and the graph edit-distance. The method has been tested in simulation on two type of modules: YaMoR and M-TRAN. The simulation results shows interesting features of the approach, namely rapidly finding a near-optimal solution.

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dlg Asadpour, M., Spröwitz, A., Billard, A., Dillenbourg, P., Ijspeert, A. J. Graph signature for self-reconfiguration planning In Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, pages: 863-869, IEEE, Nice, 2008 (inproceedings)

An active connection mechanism for modular self-reconfigurable robotic systems based on physical latching

Spröwitz, A., Asadpour, M., Bourquin, Y., Ijspeert, A. J.

In Proceedings on the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2008, pages: 3508-3513, IEEE, Pasadena, CA, 2008 (inproceedings)

Abstract

This article presents a robust and heavy duty physical latching connection mechanism, which can be actuated with DC motors to actively connect and disconnect modular robot units. The special requirements include a lightweight and simple construction providing an active, strong, hermaphrodite, completely retractable connection mechanism with a 90 degree symmetry and a no-energy consumption in the locked state. The mechanism volume is kept small to fit multiple copies into a single modular robot unit and to be used on as many faces of the robot unit as possible. This way several different lattice like modular robot structures are possible. The large selection for dock-able connection positions will likely simplify self-reconfiguration strategies. Tests with the implemented mechanism demonstrate its applicative potential for self-reconfiguring modular robots.

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dlg Spröwitz, A., Asadpour, M., Bourquin, Y., Ijspeert, A. J. An active connection mechanism for modular self-reconfigurable robotic systems based on physical latching In Proceedings on the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2008, pages: 3508-3513, IEEE, Pasadena, CA, 2008 (inproceedings)

Emergence of Interaction Among Adaptive Agents

Martius, G., Nolfi, S., Herrmann, J. M.

In Proc. From Animals to Animats 10 (SAB 2008), 5040, pages: 457-466, LNCS, Springer, 2008 (inproceedings)

al Martius, G., Nolfi, S., Herrmann, J. M. Emergence of Interaction Among Adaptive Agents In Proc. From Animals to Animats 10 (SAB 2008), 5040, pages: 457-466, LNCS, Springer, 2008 (inproceedings)

In-lane Localization in Road Networks using Curbs Detected in Omnidirectional Height Images

Stueckler, J., Schulz, H., Behnke, S.

In Proceedings of Robotik 2008, 2008 (inproceedings)

ev Stueckler, J., Schulz, H., Behnke, S. In-lane Localization in Road Networks using Curbs Detected in Omnidirectional Height Images In Proceedings of Robotik 2008, 2008 (inproceedings)

Structure from Behavior in Autonomous Agents

Martius, G., Fiedler, K., Herrmann, J.

In Proc. IEEE Intl. Conf. Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2008), pages: 858 - 862, 2008 (inproceedings)

al Martius, G., Fiedler, K., Herrmann, J. Structure from Behavior in Autonomous Agents In Proc. IEEE Intl. Conf. Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2008), pages: 858 - 862, 2008 (inproceedings)

Orthogonal wall correction for visual motion estimation

Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

In Proc. of the IEEE Int. Conf. on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pages: 1-6, May 2008 (inproceedings)

ev Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Orthogonal wall correction for visual motion estimation In Proc. of the IEEE Int. Conf. on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pages: 1-6, May 2008 (inproceedings)

2005

Adaptation of Central Pattern Generators to Preexisting Mechanical Structure

Spröwitz, A.

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, 2005 (mastersthesis)

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2005

dlg Spröwitz, A. Adaptation of Central Pattern Generators to Preexisting Mechanical Structure Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, 2005 (mastersthesis)

Learning to Feel the Physics of a Body

Der, R., Hesse, F., Martius, G.

In Computational Intelligence for Modelling, Control and Automation, CIMCA 2005 , 2, pages: 252-257, Washington, DC, USA, 2005 (inproceedings)

Abstract

Despite the tremendous progress in robotic hardware and in both sensorial and computing efficiencies the performance of contemporary autonomous robots is still far below that of simple animals. This has triggered an intensive search for alternative approaches to the control of robots. The present paper exemplifies a general approach to the self-organization of behavior which has been developed and tested in various examples in recent years. We apply this approach to an underactuated snake like artifact with a complex physical behavior which is not known to the controller. Due to the weak forces available, the controller so to say has to develop a kind of feeling for the body which is seen to emerge from our approach in a natural way with meandering and rotational collective modes being observed in computer simulation experiments.

al Der, R., Hesse, F., Martius, G. Learning to Feel the Physics of a Body In Computational Intelligence for Modelling, Control and Automation, CIMCA 2005 , 2, pages: 252-257, Washington, DC, USA, 2005 (inproceedings)