Abstract¶
We propose a method for checking and enforcing multi-contact stability based on the Zero-tilting Moment Point (ZMP). The key to our development is the generalization of ZMP support areas to take into account (a) frictional constraints and (b) multiple non-coplanar contacts. We introduce and investigate two kinds of ZMP support areas. First, we characterize and provide a fast geometric construction for the support area generated by valid contact forces, with no other constraint on the robot motion. We call this set the full support area. Next, we consider the control of humanoid robots using the Linear Pendulum Mode (LPM). We observe that the constraints stemming from the LPM induce a shrinking of the support area, even for walking on horizontal floors. We propose an algorithm to compute the new area, which we call pendular support area. We show that, in the LPM, having the ZMP in the pendular support area is a necessary and sufficient condition for contact stability. Based on these developments, we implement a whole-body controller and generate feasible multi-contact motions where an HRP-4 humanoid locomotes in challenging multi-contact scenarios.
Video¶
Content¶
Paper | |
Source code | |
Slides (opens in new window/tab for online reading) | |
10.1109/TRO.2016.2623338 |
BibTeX¶
@article{caron2016tro,
title = {ZMP Support Areas for Multi-contact Mobility Under Frictional Constraints},
author = {Caron, St{\'e}phane and Pham, Quang-Cuong and Nakamura, Yoshihiko},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Robotics},
year = {2017},
month = feb,
volume = {33},
number = {1},
pages = {67--80},
publisher = {IEEE},
doi = {10.1109/TRO.2016.2623338},
}
Discussion ¶
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Reader #1
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In Equation (5), the wrench coordinates are taken with respect to the origin of the world frame. Why don't you rather take this wrench at the CoM, as is usually done?
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Stéphane
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Wrench coordinates are indeed taken at the origin of the world frame (or any other fixed point, for what matters). Taking screw coordinates at the origin of the world frame is typical of spatial vector algebra, which was formalized by Roy Featherstone.
The main reason for working with the CWC at the origin is that it only depends on the stance (set of contacts), while the CWC taken at the CoM would also depend on CoM coordinates. Actually, once you have the former, it is straightforward to compute the latter using a simple dual transformation formula, as we described in Section III of the following paper.
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Reader #2
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What was the reason for introducing the cross product by on both sides of equation (50)? Is it just here to expand the cross product and isolate ?
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Stéphane
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A core assumption of this paper is that dynamics are decoupled into 2D plane dynamics (involving horizontal CoM and ZMP motions) and 4D complementary dynamics. Taking the cross product by is a convenient way to project onto the plane, as the projection of any vector onto a plane of normal can be written (the cross product is not associative in general but in this particular case it is).
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Reader #3
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What was the need for adding equation (51)? Aren't equations (49) and (50) sufficient to characterize static equilibrium?
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Stéphane
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Rather than being added, equation (51) is already present in Newton and Euler equations (i.e. the dynamics of the floating base) and we are not ignoring it. Specifically, we decompose the 6D floating base dynamics into:
- 2D plane dynamics, e.g. equation (50)
- complementary 3D linear dynamics, e.g. equation (49)
- complementary 1D angular dynamics along the vertical axis, e.g. equation (51)
In total we model the full dynamics, while leaving out equation (51) would be an approximation of these dynamics.
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Reader #4
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When computing the static-equilibrium polygon, why is chosen to be vertical? You mention earlier in the paper that can be "a fixed unit space vector, not necessarily aligned with the gravity vector". How is it determined or what does it represent in general?
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Stéphane
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In the case of the CoM polygon, it is convenient but not necessary to choose a vertical . You can take a non-vertical one: it will give you the same polygon but in a tilted plane.
In general, represents the plane in which you are controlling your CoM. Because the CoM is constrained to lie in this plane, you should choose it according to the motions to be realized: for instance, if the robot is climbing stairs, the plane should have the same inclination as the staircase.
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Reader #5
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The definition of the pendular support area depends on the instantaneous CoM position, but it is known that the support area on flat terrains is simply the convex hull of the feet. Then, shouldn't the algorithm for the pendular support area be independent on the CoM position at least for the flat terrain case?
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Stéphane
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There are actually two assumptions where the ZMP support area becomes the convex hull of ground contact points: coplanar contact points, and infinite friction. Without the latter, we can run into cases such as the one depicted in Figure 6 of the paper, and the area is again CoM-dependent (even on a horizontal floor, imagine for instance standing on ice). With these two assumptions, we can indeed show that the algorithm to compute the pendular support area reduces to a simple convex hull.
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