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10 results (View BibTeX file of all listed publications)

2014

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Wenn es was zu sagen gibt

(Klaus Tschira Award 2014 in Computer Science)

Trimpe, S.

Bild der Wissenschaft, pages: 20-23, November 2014, (popular science article in German) (article)

am ics

PDF Project Page [BibTex]

2014

am ics Trimpe, S. Wenn es was zu sagen gibt Bild der Wissenschaft, pages: 20-23, November 2014, (popular science article in German) (article)

PDF Project Page [BibTex]

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Roombots: A hardware perspective on 3D self-reconfiguration and locomotion with a homogeneous modular robot

Spröwitz, A., Moeckel, R., Vespignani, M., Bonardi, S., Ijspeert, A. J.

{Robotics and Autonomous Systems}, 62(7):1016-1033, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2014 (article)

Abstract
In this work we provide hands-on experience on designing and testing a self-reconfiguring modular robotic system, Roombots (RB), to be used among others for adaptive furniture. In the long term, we envision that RB can be used to create sets of furniture, such as stools, chairs and tables that can move in their environment and that change shape and functionality during the day. In this article, we present the first, incremental results towards that long term vision. We demonstrate locomotion and reconfiguration of single and metamodule RB over 3D surfaces, in a structured environment equipped with embedded connection ports. RB assemblies can move around in non-structured environments, by using rotational or wheel-like locomotion. We show a proof of concept for transferring a Roombots metamodule (two in-series coupled RB modules) from the non-structured environment back into the structured grid, by aligning the RB metamodule in an entrapment mechanism. Finally, we analyze the remaining challenges to master the full Roombots scenario, and discuss the impact on future Roombots hardware.

dlg

DOI [BibTex]

dlg Spröwitz, A., Moeckel, R., Vespignani, M., Bonardi, S., Ijspeert, A. J. Roombots: A hardware perspective on 3D self-reconfiguration and locomotion with a homogeneous modular robot {Robotics and Autonomous Systems}, 62(7):1016-1033, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2014 (article)

DOI [BibTex]

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Rough Terrain Mapping and Navigation using a Continuously Rotating 2D Laser Scanner

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

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI), 28(2):93-99, Springer, 2014 (article)

ev

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

ev Schadler, M., Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Rough Terrain Mapping and Navigation using a Continuously Rotating 2D Laser Scanner Künstliche Intelligenz (KI), 28(2):93-99, Springer, 2014 (article)

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

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A Limiting Property of the Matrix Exponential

Trimpe, S., D’Andrea, R.

IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 59(4):1105-1110, 2014 (article)

am ics

PDF DOI [BibTex]

am ics Trimpe, S., D’Andrea, R. A Limiting Property of the Matrix Exponential IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 59(4):1105-1110, 2014 (article)

PDF DOI [BibTex]

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Dense Real-Time Mapping of Object-Class Semantics from RGB-D Video

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

Journal of Real-Time Image Processing (JRTIP), 10(4):599-609, Springer, 2014 (article)

ev

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

ev Stueckler, J., Waldvogel, B., Schulz, H., Behnke, S. Dense Real-Time Mapping of Object-Class Semantics from RGB-D Video Journal of Real-Time Image Processing (JRTIP), 10(4):599-609, Springer, 2014 (article)

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

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Event-Based State Estimation With Variance-Based Triggering

Trimpe, S., D’Andrea, R.

IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 59(12):3266-3281, 2014 (article)

am ics

PDF Supplementary material DOI Project Page [BibTex]

am ics Trimpe, S., D’Andrea, R. Event-Based State Estimation With Variance-Based Triggering IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 59(12):3266-3281, 2014 (article)

PDF Supplementary material DOI Project Page [BibTex]

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Multi-Resolution Surfel Maps for Efficient Dense 3D Modeling and Tracking

Stueckler, J., Behnke, S.

Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation (JVCI), 25(1):137-147, 2014 (article)

ev

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

ev Stueckler, J., Behnke, S. Multi-Resolution Surfel Maps for Efficient Dense 3D Modeling and Tracking Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation (JVCI), 25(1):137-147, 2014 (article)

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

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Kinematic primitives for walking and trotting gaits of a quadruped robot with compliant legs

Spröwitz, A. T., Ajallooeian, M., Tuleu, A., Ijspeert, A. J.

Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 8(27):1-13, 2014 (article)

Abstract
In this work we research the role of body dynamics in the complexity of kinematic patterns in a quadruped robot with compliant legs. Two gait patterns, lateral sequence walk and trot, along with leg length control patterns of different complexity were implemented in a modular, feed-forward locomotion controller. The controller was tested on a small, quadruped robot with compliant, segmented leg design, and led to self-stable and self-stabilizing robot locomotion. In-air stepping and on-ground locomotion leg kinematics were recorded, and the number and shapes of motion primitives accounting for 95\% of the variance of kinematic leg data were extracted. This revealed that kinematic patterns resulting from feed-forward control had a lower complexity (in-air stepping, 2–3 primitives) than kinematic patterns from on-ground locomotion (νm4 primitives), although both experiments applied identical motor patterns. The complexity of on-ground kinematic patterns had increased, through ground contact and mechanical entrainment. The complexity of observed kinematic on-ground data matches those reported from level-ground locomotion data of legged animals. Results indicate that a very low complexity of modular, rhythmic, feed-forward motor control is sufficient for level-ground locomotion in combination with passive compliant legged hardware.

dlg

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

dlg Spröwitz, A. T., Ajallooeian, M., Tuleu, A., Ijspeert, A. J. Kinematic primitives for walking and trotting gaits of a quadruped robot with compliant legs Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 8(27):1-13, 2014 (article)

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

2008

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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.

dlg

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

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)

link (url) DOI [BibTex]

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Hierarchical Reactive Control for Humanoid Soccer Robots

Behnke, S., Stueckler, J.

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

ev

link (url) [BibTex]

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

link (url) [BibTex]