仿生工程学报 ›› 2018, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (2): 341-355.doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-018-0026-8

• 论文 • 上一篇    下一篇

Multi-Layered CPG for Adaptive Walking of Quadruped Robots

Chengju Liu*, Li Xia, Changzhu Zhang, Qijun Chen
  

  1. School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
  • 收稿日期:2017-09-07 修回日期:2018-02-06 出版日期:2018-03-10 发布日期:2018-02-09
  • 通讯作者: Chengju Liu E-mail:liuchengju@tongji.edu.cn
  • 作者简介:Chengju Liu*, Li Xia, Changzhu Zhang, Qijun Chen

Multi-Layered CPG for Adaptive Walking of Quadruped Robots

Chengju Liu*, Li Xia, Changzhu Zhang, Qijun Chen#br#   

  1. School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
  • Received:2017-09-07 Revised:2018-02-06 Online:2018-03-10 Published:2018-02-09
  • Contact: Chengju Liu E-mail:liuchengju@tongji.edu.cn
  • About author:Chengju Liu*, Li Xia, Changzhu Zhang, Qijun Chen

摘要: This work concerns biped adaptive walking control on slope terrains with online trajectory generation. In terms of the lack of satis-factory performances of the traditional simplified single-layered Central Pattern Generator (CPG) model in engineering applications where robots face unknown environments and access feedback, this paper presents a Multi-Layered CPG (ML-CPG) model based on a half-center CPG model. The proposed ML-CPG model is used as the underlying low-level controller for a quadruped robot to generate adaptive walking patterns. Rhythm-generation and pattern formation interneurons are modeled to promptly generate motion rhythm and patterns for motion sequence control, while motoneurons are modeled to control the output strength of the joint in real time according to feedback. Referring to the motion control mechanisms of animals, a control structure is built for a quadruped robot. Multi-sensor models abstracted from the neural reflexes of animals are involved in all the layers of neurons through various feedback paths to achieve adaptability as well as the coordinated motion control of a robot’s limbs. The simulation experiments verify the effectiveness of the pre-sented ML-CPG and multi-layered reflexes strategy.

关键词: biological reflex, adaptive walking, quadruped robot, Multi-Layered CPG (ML-CPG)

Abstract: This work concerns biped adaptive walking control on slope terrains with online trajectory generation. In terms of the lack of satis-factory performances of the traditional simplified single-layered Central Pattern Generator (CPG) model in engineering applications where robots face unknown environments and access feedback, this paper presents a Multi-Layered CPG (ML-CPG) model based on a half-center CPG model. The proposed ML-CPG model is used as the underlying low-level controller for a quadruped robot to generate adaptive walking patterns. Rhythm-generation and pattern formation interneurons are modeled to promptly generate motion rhythm and patterns for motion sequence control, while motoneurons are modeled to control the output strength of the joint in real time according to feedback. Referring to the motion control mechanisms of animals, a control structure is built for a quadruped robot. Multi-sensor models abstracted from the neural reflexes of animals are involved in all the layers of neurons through various feedback paths to achieve adaptability as well as the coordinated motion control of a robot’s limbs. The simulation experiments verify the effectiveness of the pre-sented ML-CPG and multi-layered reflexes strategy.

Key words: biological reflex, adaptive walking, Multi-Layered CPG (ML-CPG), quadruped robot