In this thesis, dynamic modeling and nonlinear control of autonomous underwater vehicle manipulator systems are presented. Mainly, two types of systems consisting of a 6-DOF AUV equipped with a 6-DOF manipulator subsystem (UVMS) and with an 8-DOF redundant manipulator subsystem (UVRMS) are modeled considering hydrostatic forces and hydrodynamic effects such as added mass, lift, drag and side forces. The shadowing effects of the bodies on each other are introduced when computing the hydrodynamic forces. The system equations of motion are derived recursively using Newton&ndash / Euler formulation. The inverse dynamics control algorithms are formulated and trajectory tracking control of the systems is achieved by assigning separate tasks for the end effector of the manipulator and for the underwater vehicle. The proposed inverse dynamics controller utilizes the full nonlinear model of the system and consists of a linearizing control law that uses the feedback of positions and velocities of the joints and the underwater vehicle in order to cancel off the nonlinearities of the system. The PD control is applied after this complicated feedback linearization process yielding second order error dynamics. The thruster dynamics is also incorporated into the control system design. The stability analysis is performed in the presence of parametric uncertainty and disturbing ocean current. The effectiveness of the control methods are demonstrated by simulations for typical underwater missions.

The problem addressed in this research is the in-flight generation of trajectories for autonomous unmanned aircraft, which requires a method of generating pseudo-optimal trajectories in near-real-time, on-board the aircraft, and without external intervention. The focus of this research is the enhancement of a particular inverse dynamics direct method that is a candidate solution to the problem. This research introduces the following contributions to the method. A quaternion-based inverse dynamics model is introduced that represents all orientations without singularities, permits smooth interpolation of orientations, and generates more accurate controls than the previous Euler-angle model. Algorithmic modifications are introduced that: overcome singularities arising from parameterization and discretization; combine analytic and finite difference expressions to improve the accuracy of controls and constraints; remove roll ill-conditioning when the normal load factor is near zero, and extend the method to handle negative-g orientations. It is also shown in this research that quadratic interpolation improves the accuracy and speed of constraint evaluation. The method is known to lead to a multimodal constrained nonlinear optimization problem. The performance of the method with four nonlinear programming algorithms was investigated: a differential evolution algorithm was found to be capable of over 99% successful convergence, to generate solutions with better optimality than the quasi- Newton and derivative-free algorithms against which it was tested, but to be up to an order of magnitude slower than those algorithms. The effects of the degree and form of polynomial airspeed parameterization on optimization performance were investigated, and results were obtained that quantify the achievable optimality as a function of the parameterization degree. Overall, it was found that the method is a potentially viable method of on-board near- real-time trajectory generation for unmanned aircraft but for this potential to be realized in practice further improvements in computational speed are desirable. Candidate optimization strategies are identified for future research.

High-tone extensor thrusts, or involuntary muscle contractions experienced by many children with cerebral palsy, can cause problems that are not addressed by current seating systems. This thesis is concerned with the development of a dynamic seating system to better accommodate individuals who exhibit high-tone extensor thrusts. The first part of the thesis is focused on obtaining a general understanding of extensor thrusts from a mechanical perspective. To achieve this goal, an analytical dynamic model of a human subject undergoing an extensor thrust on a rigid chair is created. This model is validated experimentally, and inferences about the nature of extensor thrusts are made from the simulation and experimental results. A Dynamic-Hingeback Seating System which allows the occupant to lean back during an uncontrolled extensor thrust is developed. This system is capable of maintaining seatback rigidity during an intentionally-induced episode, thereby enabling the occupant to communicate or interact with his/her environment. The design of this system is influenced by the results obtained from the rigid seat study, as well as by numerical simulation results gathered with a commercial dynamic simulation software package (Working Model 2D). The improved seatback performance is characterized through experimentation. Alternative dynamic seating systems are considered. The important features of each of these systems are identified, and the desired motion of the system occupant during an extensor thrust is verified through Working Model simulations.

In this study, the implementation of modern control techniques, that can be used both for the stable recovery of the aircraft from the undesired high angle of attack flight state (stall) and the agile maneuvering of the aircraft in various air combat or defense missions, are performed. In order to accomplish this task, the thrust vectoring control (TVC) actuation is blended with the conventional aerodynamic controls. The controller design is based on the nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) control methodologies and the stability and robustness analyses are done by using robust performance (RP) analysis techniques. The control architecture is designed to serve both for the recovery from the undesired stall condition (the stabilization controller) and to perform desired agile maneuvering (the attitude controller). The detailed modeling of the aircraft dynamics, aerodynamics, engines and thrust vectoring paddles, as well as the flight environment of the aircraft and the on-board sensors is performed. Within the control loop the human pilot model is included and the design of a fly-by-wire controller is also investigated. The performance of the designed stabilization and attitude controllers are simulated using the custom built 6 DoF aircraft flight simulation tool. As for the stabilization controller, a forced deep-stall flight condition is generated and the aircraft is recovered to stable and pilot controllable flight regimes from that undesired flight state. The performance of the attitude controller is investigated under various high angle of attack agile maneuvering conditions. Finally, the performances of the proposed controller schemes are discussed and the conclusions are made.

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι αρχικά η καταγραφή της ανθρώπινης κίνησης με κάποια συσκευή παρακολούθησης και κατόπιν η δημιουργία ενός αντιπροσωπευτικού μοντέλου, ώστε να μπορεί να μελετηθεί η δυναμική του συμπεριφορά. Ως συσκευή καταγραφής χρησιμοποιήθηκε ο αισθητήρας Kinect της Microsoft. Το μοντέλο που αναπτύχθηκε αφορά κυρίως τα κάτω άκρα του ανθρώπου και επιπλέον διαθέτει μυοσκελετική δομή με 86 μύες. Στα πλαίσια των αναλύσεων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν διάφορες τεχνικές για την εξαγωγή των αποτελεσμάτων, όπως είναι η αντίστροφη κινηματική, αντίστροφη δυναμική, υπολογισμός μυϊκών διεγέρσεων και ορθή δυναμική και προτείνουμε μια στρατηγική για την ανάλυση και την εξαγωγή αποτελεσμάτων. / The research developed in this thesis first deal with the problem of capturing the human body motion and then concentrates on the creation of musculoskeletal models, which can capture and accurately study its dynamical behavior. The Microsoft's Kinect sensor was utilized to capture the human motion. The model used for the simulations is the human lower extremity with 86 attached muscles. For the analysis phase we used some common methods such as inverse kinematics, inverse dynamics, computed muscle control and forward dynamics and we showed a general pipeline strategy for generating correct results.

À quel point les mouvements humains sont-ils optimaux ? Cette thèse aborde cette question en se concentrant particulièrement sur les mouvements en escalade, étudiés ici sous trois aspects complémentaires que sont la collecte expérimentale de séquences de grimpe, l'analyse biomécanique de ces données, et la synthèse de gestes par optimisation temporelle. La marche fut l'objet de nombreux travaux, avec de bons résultats notamment en animation [Mordatch 2013]. Nous nous intéressons ici spécialement au problème original des mouvements d'escalade, dont la diversité et leur caractère multicontact présentent une complexité intéressante pour l'évaluation des caractéristiques du mouvement humain. L'hétérogénéité du répertoire gestuel rencontrée en escalade s'explique par plusieurs facteurs que sont l'évolution sur des parois de formes variées, la multiplicité des niveaux d'expertise des pratiquants, et des disciplines différentes au sein même de l'activité, à savoir le bloc, la difficulté, ou encore l'escalade de vitesse. Notre démarche d'exploration de ce sport se décompose en trois étapes : la collecte de données par une capture de mouvements multicaméra avec marqueurs, couplée à un ensemble de capteurs de force montés sur un mur de bloc en laboratoire ; une analyse du geste par dynamique inverse, prenant exclusivement des données cinématiques pour entrées, basée sur une minimisation des couples internes pour résoudre l'ambiguïté du multicontact, intrinsèque à l'activité d'escalade, validée par comparaison avec les mesures capteurs ; et enfin, l'utilisation d'un critère d'efficacité énergétique pour synthétiser la meilleure temporisation associée à une séquence de déplacements donnés. Les enregistrements expérimentaux se sont fait à l'université McGill qui dispose d'un mur instrumenté de 6 capteurs de forces, et d'un dispositif de capture de mouvements 24 caméras, nous ayant permis de collecter des données sur une population de 9 sujets. L'analyse de ces données constitue la deuxième partie de cette thèse. Le défi abordé est de retrouver les forces externes et les efforts internes à partir uniquement des déplacements du grimpeur. Nous supposons pour cela une répartition optimale des efforts internes. Après analyse, cette répartition s'avère être plutôt uniforme que proportionnelle aux capacités musculaires des différentes articulations du corps. Finalement, dans une troisième et dernière partie, nous nous intéressons à la temporisation des gestes en escalade, en prenant en entrée la trajectoire du grimpeur, éventuellement issue de cinématique inverse pour s'affranchir de la nécessité d'une capture par marqueurs et caméras infra-rouges. En sortie, une temporisation idéale pour cette trajectoire est trouvée. Cette temporisation s'avère réaliste, mais manque d'une modélisation des instants d'hésitation et de prise de décision, ainsi que d'un modèle d'établissements de contact, phénomène présentant un délai temporel non pris en compte pour l'instant. / How optimal are human movements ? This thesis tackles this issue by focusing especially on climbing movements, studied here under three complementary aspects which are the experimental gathering of climbing sequences, the biomechanical analysis of these data, and the synthesis of gestures by timing optimization. Walking has been largely studied, with good results in animation [Mordatch 2013]. We are interested here especially in the original question of climbing motions, whose diversity and multicontact aspect present an interesting complexity for the evaluation of the human motion characteristics. The heterogeneity of climbing gestures can be linked to several factors which are the variety of wall shapes, the multiplicity of climber skill levels, and different climbing categories, namely bouldering, route climbing or speed climbing. Our exploratory approach of this sport consists in three steps: the data collection by multicamera marker-based motion capture, combined with a set of force sensors mounted on an in-laboratory bouldering wall; a gesture analysis by inverse dynamics, taking only kinematic data as inputs, based on the minimization of internal torques to resolve the multicontact ambiguity, intrinsic to the climbing activity, validated by comparison with sensor measurements; and finally, the use of the energy efficiency criterion for synthesizing the best timing associated with a given sequence of movements. Experimental recordings were made at McGill University which has a climbing wall instrumented of 6 force sensors, and a motion capture device of 24 cameras, which allowed us to collect data on a population of nine subjects. The analysis of these data is the second part of this thesis. The addressed challenge is to find the external forces and internal torques from the climber's movements only. To this end we assume an optimal distribution of internal torques. After analysis, the distribution turns out to be rather uniform than proportional to the muscle capacity associated to each body joint. Finally, in a third and last part, we focus on the timing of climbing gestures, taking as input the path of the climber, possibly after inverse kinematics in order to overcome the need for a capture with markers and infrared cameras. As output, an optimal timing for this path is found. This timing is realistic, but lacks of a modelization for hesitation and decision making instants, as well as a model for the contact establishment, with the associated temporal delay currently not taken into account.

Main aim of this master’s thesis is to identify, model and control robotic manipulator with three degrees of freedom. The thesis is a part of major project [17], the aim of which is to create an educational platform. In the thesis the simple PID control and the PID with feedforward compensation control is tested on the model of simple pendulum. In the next part models of DC motors, which are used for construction of the manipulator, are developed and the inverse dynamics model of manipulator is developed. This model is used for feedforward control of the manipulator. In the final part the application was developed, which allows the manipulator to be taught some movements, which can be later on, executed. For the simple control of the application the graphical user interface was programmed.

No description available.

Cette thèse aborde les problèmes inverses de contrôle optimal (IOCP) pour trouver les fonctions de coûts pour lesquelles les mouvements humains sont optimaux. En supposant que les observations de mouvements humains sont parfaites, alors que le processus de commande du moteur humain est imparfait, nous proposons un algorithme de commande approximative optimale. En appliquant notre algorithme pour les observations de mouvement humaines collectées: mouvement du bras humain au cours d'une tâche de vissage industrielle, une tâche de suivi visuel d’une cible et une tâche d'initialisation de la marche, nous avons effectué une analyse en boucle ouverte. Pour les trois cas, notre algorithme a trouvé les fonctions de coût qui correspondent mieux ces données, tout en satisfaisant approximativement les Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions d'optimalité. Notre algorithme offre un beau temps de calcul pour tous les cas, fournir une opportunité pour son utilisation dans les applications en ligne. Pour la tâche de suivi visuel d’une cible, nous avons étudié une modélisation en boucle fermée avec deux boucles de rétroaction PD. Avec des données artificielles, nous avons obtenu des résultats cohérents en termes de tendances des gains et les critères trouvent par notre algorithme pour la tâche de suivi visuel d’une cible. Dans la seconde partie de notre travail, nous avons proposé une nouvelle approche pour résoudre l’IOCP, dans un cadre d'erreur bornée. Dans cette approche, nous supposons que le processus de contrôle moteur humain est parfait tandis que les observations ont des erreurs et des incertitudes d'agir sur eux, étant imparfaite. Les erreurs sont délimitées avec des limites connues, sinon inconnu. Notre approche trouve l'ensemble convexe de de fonction de coût réalisables avec la certitude qu'il comprend la vraie solution. Nous numériquement garanties en utilisant des outils d'analyse d'intervalle. / This thesis addresses inverse optimal control problems (IOCP) to find the cost functions for which the human motions are optimal. Assuming that the human motion observations are perfect, while the human motor control process is imperfect, we propose an approximately optimal control algorithm. By applying our algorithm to the human motion observations collected for: the human arm trajectories during an industrial screwing task, a postural coordination in a visual tracking task and a walking gait initialization task, we performed an open loop analysis. For the three cases, our algorithm returned the cost functions which better fit these data, while approximately satisfying the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions. Our algorithm offers a nice computational time for all cases, providing an opportunity for its use in online applications. For the visual tracking task, we investigated a closed loop modeling with two PD feedback loops. With artificial data, we obtained consistent results in terms of feedback gains’ trends and criteria exhibited by our algorithm for the visual tracking task. In the second part of our work, we proposed a new approach to solving the IOCP, in a bounded error framework. In this approach, we assume that the human motor control process is perfect while the observations have errors and uncertainties acting on them, being imperfect. The errors are bounded with known bounds, otherwise unknown. Our approach finds the convex hull of the set of feasible cost function with a certainty that it includes the true solution. We numerically guaranteed this using interval analysis tools.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate whether three dimensional musculoskeletal modelling (3D) is effective in assessing the safety and efficacy of resistance training equipment. The focus of the evaluation was on the biomechanical and anthropometric considerations of the end-user. 3D musculoskeletal modelling was used to evaluate four pieces of resistance training equipment, namely the seated biceps curl, abdominal crunch, seated row and chest press. Three anthropometric cases were created; these represented a traditional 5th percentile female as well as a 50th and 95th percentile male based on body mass index (BMI). Resistance on the training machines was set at fifty percent of the functional strength one repetition maximum (1RM), for each anthropometric case and piece of exercise equipment two repetitions were performed except for the abdominal crunch model during which four repetitions were simulated. Each piece of equipment presented unique challenges. In three of the four studies (seated biceps curl, seated row and chest press) the default model created by the modelling software was not adequate to solve the forward dynamics simulations and thus adjustments had to be made to the default model in order to complete the modelling process. 3D musculoskeletal modelling by means of LifeModelerTM software was able to identify some potential risk for musculoskeletal injury as well as highlight the discrepancies between the anthropometric cases, specifically the accommodation of the 5th percentile female and the machines’ engineered adjustability. 3D musculoskeletal modelling has the potential to indicate shortcomings in resistance training equipment design. Therefore it appears as if 3D musculoskeletal modelling can be used to evaluate resistance training equipment design however the limitations as indicated by this study must be taken into consideration especially when using default models.AFRIKAANS: Die doel van die studie was om die effektiwiteit van driedimensionele (3D) muskuloskeletale modellering te evalueer in terme van die tegniek se vermoë om die veiligheid en doeltreffendheid van weerstands oefenapparaat te evalueer. Die fokus van die evaluasie was op die biomeganiese en antropometriese oorwegings van die end-gebruiker. 3D muskuloskeletale modellering was gebruik in die evaluasie van vier weerstands oefenapparate genaamd die sittende biceps krul, abdominale krul, sittende roei en sittende borsstoot. Drie antropometriese gevalle is geskep, die het ‘n tradisionele 5e persentiel vrou, sowel as ‘n 50ste en 95ste persentiel man voorgestel en was gebasseer op liggaamsmassa indeks waardes. Die eksterne weerstand van die apparaat was bepaal teen vyftig persent van die funsionele krag een-repetisie- maksimum vir elk van die antropometriese gevalle en twee repetisies is uitgevoer behalwe vir die abdominale krul waartydens vier repetisies gesimuleer is. Elke apparaat het unieke uitdagings gestel. In drie van die vier studies (sittende biceps krul, sittende roei en sittende borsstoot) was die standaard model van die sagteware onvoldoende om die voorwaards dinamiese simulasie op te los en moes aanpassings aan die modelle gemaak word vir suksesvolle simulasies. Die modellerings proses met die Lifemodeler™ sagteware kon potensiële risiko vir muskuloskeletale besering sowel as verskille tussen die verskeie antropometriese gevalle uitwys. Dit was veral opvallend vir die akkomodasie van die 5e persentiel vrou asook betreffende die apparaat se vervaardigde verstelbaarheid. 3D muskuloskeletale modellering beskik oor die vermoë om voorstelle vir verbetering in die ontwerp van weerstands oefenapparaat uit te wys. Dit blyk dus dat 3D muskuloskeletale modellering beslis gebruik kan word vir die evaluasie van weerstands oefenapparaat ontwerp, die beperkings van die studie moet egter in gedagte gehou word, veral wanneer standaard modelle gebruik word. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted