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Virtual Constraints and Hybrid Zero Dynamics for Realizing Underactuated Bipedal Locomotion

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Humanoid Robotics: A Reference

Abstract

Underactuation is ubiquitous in human locomotion and should be ubiquitous in bipedal robotic locomotion as well. This chapter presents a coherent theory for the design of feedback controllers that achieve stable walking gaits in underactuated bipedal robots. Two fundamental tools are introduced, virtual constraints and hybrid zero dynamics. Virtual constraints are relations on the state variables of a mechanical model that are imposed through a time-invariant feedback controller. One of their roles is to synchronize the robot’s joints to an internal gait phasing variable. A second role is to induce a low-dimensional system, the zero dynamics, that captures the underactuated aspects of a robot’s model, without any approximations. To enhance intuition, the relation between physical constraints and virtual constraints is first established. From here, the hybrid zero dynamics of an underactuated bipedal model is developed, and its fundamental role in the design of asymptotically stable walking motions is established. The chapter includes numerous references to robots on which the highlighted techniques have been implemented.

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Acknowledgements

The work of J.W. Grizzle has been generously supported by NSF grants EECS-1525006, ECCS-1343720, and CNS-1239037. The work of C. Chevallereau is supported by ANR Equipex Robotex project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 48109-2125, 4421 EECS Bldg., 1301 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Jessy W. Grizzle

  2. CNRS, LS2N (Laboratory of digital sciences of Nantes), Nantes, France

    Christine Chevallereau

Authors
  1. Jessy W. Grizzle
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  2. Christine Chevallereau
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Correspondence to Jessy W. Grizzle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Intuitive Surgical , Sunnyvale, California, USA

    Ambarish Goswami

  2. Singapore, Singapur, Singapore

    Prahlad Vadakkepat

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Grizzle, J.W., Chevallereau, C. (2017). Virtual Constraints and Hybrid Zero Dynamics for Realizing Underactuated Bipedal Locomotion. In: Goswami, A., Vadakkepat, P. (eds) Humanoid Robotics: A Reference. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7194-9_47-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7194-9_47-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-7194-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-7194-9

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