Abstract: A robot which naturally walks with high energy efficiency similar to a human through optimization of actuated dynamic walking, and a control method thereof. The control method includes defining a plurality of unit walking motions, in which stride, velocity, rotating angle and direction of the robot are designated, through combination of parameters to generate target joint paths, and constructing a database in which the plurality of unit walking motions is stored, setting an objective path up to an objective position, performing interpretation of the objective path as unit walking motions, generating walking patterns consisting of at least one unit walking motion to cause the robot to walk along the objective path based on the interpretation of the objective path, and allowing the robot to walk based on the walking patterns.

Abstract: A robot, which performs natural walking similar to a human with high energy efficiency through optimization of actuated dynamic walking, and a control method thereof. The robot includes an input unit to which a walking command of the robot is input, and a control unit to control walking of the robot by calculating torque input values through control variables, obtaining a resultant motion of the robot through calculation of forward dynamics using the torque input values, and minimizing a value of an objective function set to consist of the sum total of a plurality of performance indices through adjustment of the control variables.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium planning a path of a robot by planning an optimal path while satisfying a dynamic constraint. In a process of searching for a motion path from a start point to a goal point while extending a tree from a start point of a configuration space to generate a path, along which a manipulator of the robot is moved in order to perform a task, an optimal path is generated responsive to the dynamic constraint of the manipulator of the robot to generate stable motion satisfying momentum and Zero Moment Position (ZMP) constraint. Accordingly, path planning performance is improved and a path satisfying a kinematic constraint and a dynamic constraint is rapidly obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a humanoid robot and a control method thereof. The humanoid robot controls robot parts performing main motions having high relevance with respect to a commanded action to the humanoid robot such that these robot parts move along optimized motion trajectories generated through motion optimization in consideration of robot dynamics, and controls robot parts performing remaining motions having low relevance with respect to the commanded action such that these robot parts move along predetermined motion trajectories corresponding to the commanded action, thereby simplifying optimization of whole body motions of the humanoid robot while performing the commanded action maximally similarly to a real human action.

Abstract: A path planning apparatus of a robot smoothes a motion path while satisfying a constraint. In a configuration space where a manipulator of a robot performs a task, a Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) path which extends from a start point and reaches a goal point may be smoothed while satisfying a constraint to generate a stable motion path. Accordingly, path planning performance is improved and an optimal path satisfying a kinematic constraint may be rapidly obtained.

Abstract: A robot and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The robot derives a maximum dynamic performance capability using a specification of an actuator of the robot. The control method includes forming a first bell-shaped velocity profile in response to a start time and an end time of a motion of the robot, calculating a value of an objective function having a limited condition according to the bell-shaped velocity profile, and driving a joint in response to a second bell-shaped velocity profile that minimizes the objective function having the limited condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a humanoid robot apparatus, method and computer-readable medium thereof related to lifting and holding a heavy object having a weight unknown to the robot, by measuring an external force acting on the robot. Linear momentum and rotational momentum are compensated for stepwise according to the degree of stability of the robot which is determined based on the measured external force. Accordingly, the robot stably lifts and holds the object without losing its balance.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a method and a computer-readable medium controlling whole-body operation of a humanoid robot. The humanoid robot recognizes a motion control code using binary data mapped according to a motion command represented by a language understood by a human to implement a whole-body operation. Since a control mode corresponding to a task space control and a control mode corresponding to a joint space control are used together to describe whole-body motion, the whole-body operation more similar to a human action may be easily implemented.

Abstract: A suitable waypoint is selected using a goal score, a section from a start point to a goal point through the waypoint is divided into a plurality of sections based on the waypoint with a solution of inverse kinematics, and trees are simultaneously expanded in the sections using a Best First Search & Rapidly Random Tree (BF-RRT) algorithm so as to generate a path. By this configuration, a probability of local minima occurring is decreased compared with the case where the waypoint is randomly selected. In addition, since the trees are simultaneously expanded in the sections each having the waypoint with a solution of inverse kinematics, the solution may be rapidly obtained. A time consumed to search for an optimal motion path may be shortened and path plan performance may be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a path planning apparatus and method of a robot, in which a path, along which the robot accesses an object to grasp the object, is planned. The path planning method includes judging whether or not a robot hand of a robot collides with an obstacle when the robot hand moves along one access path candidate selected from plural access path candidates along which the robot hand accesses an object to grasp the object, calculating an access score of the selected access path candidate when the robot hand does not collide with the obstacle, and determining an access path plan using the access score of the selected access path candidate.

Abstract: If a manipulator of a robot falls in local minima when expanding a node to generate a path, the manipulator may efficiently escape from local minima by any one of a random escaping method and a goal function changing method or a combination thereof to generate the path. When the solution of inverse kinematics is not obtained due to local minima or when the solution of inverse kinematics is not obtained due to an inaccurate goal function, an optimal motion path to avoid an obstacle may be efficiently searched for. The speed to obtain the solution may be increased and thus the time consumed to search for the optimal motion path may be shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a path planning apparatus and a method for a robot to plan an optimal path along which a manipulator of a robot moves to a goal point from a start point. An obstacle within a prescribed angle on a straight line connecting a start point and a goal point is recognized as a middle point in a configuration space and arbitrary points separated from the middle point by a prescribed distance are selected. Among the selected points, arbitrary points which can directly connect the start point and the goal point without passing the obstacle are selected as waypoints to map a new middle node. A path is extended via the middle node and extension of a tree in a wrong direction is minimized so that the manipulator is not struck at local minima without depending greatly on a goal score, thereby improving the performance of path planning and rapidly searching for a path.