Robot Motion Control Using Learned Operating Force Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robot operation control methods require significant human effort for programming and are time-consuming, necessitating a more efficient and flexible approach using machine learning to reduce creation time and adapt to various situations.

Innovation Solution

A robot system incorporating a robot, motion sensor, surrounding environment sensor, operation apparatus, learning control section, and relay apparatus, which uses machine learning to estimate and output calculation operating forces based on operator-operating forces, environment data, and operation commands, allowing seamless conversion of these forces into operation commands for the robot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a program for operating a robot is created by human understanding and programming, then the robot can perform operations according to predefined instructions, but the creation and adjustment time of the program becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram execution reliabilityVSAvoidprogram creation and adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual programming mechanisms with machine learning mechanisms. Instead of humans writing and adjusting programs, the system automatically learns operational patterns from demonstration data and generates control programs, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual programming process while maintaining reliable robot execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robot system performs self-programming through machine learning. By capturing demonstration operations and automatically generating control programs from this data, the system serves itself in creating operational instructions, removing the need for external human programmers and significantly reducing program creation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional programming methods are used to control robot operations, then the robot follows predefined instructions, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to various situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot adaptability to various situationsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, predefined program into a dynamic learning system. The control program is no longer fixed but continuously adapts by learning from new demonstration data, allowing the robot to flexibly respond to various situations while the underlying machine learning framework provides the necessary computational structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The machine learning-based control system serves multiple functions: it learns from demonstrations, generates control programs, adapts to new tasks, and handles various operational scenarios. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized programming efforts with a single versatile learning system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If machine learning is used to construct a model for robot operation control, then program creation time is reduced and flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram creation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a machine learning model as an intermediary between demonstration data and robot control. This intermediary automatically processes raw demonstration data into structured control programs, bridging the gap between simple data collection and complex robot operations while managing system complexity through specialized learning algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Extent of automation

If a robot system with operation apparatus and learning control section is implemented, then autonomous and cooperative operation is enabled, but the complexity of the system architecture increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot autonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into distinct functional modules: operation apparatus for input, learning control section for processing, model construction unit for learning, and program generation unit for output. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific task, enabling autonomous operation while managing overall system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3804919B1Robot system and robot control method
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3804919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804919B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3804919B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A robot system (1) includes the robot (10), a motion sensor (11), a surrounding environment sensor (12, 13), an operation apparatus (21), a learning control section (41), and a relay apparatus (30). The robot (10) performs work based on an operation command. The operation apparatus (21) detects and outputs an operator-operating force applied by the operator. The learning control section (41) outputs a calculation operating force. The relay apparatus (30) outputs the operation command based on the operator-operating force and the calculation operating force. The learning control section (41) estimates and outputs the calculation operating force by using a model constructed by performing the machine learning of the operator-operating force, the surrounding environment data, the operation data, and the operation command based on the operation data and the surrounding environment data outputted by the sensors (11 to 13), and the operation command outputted by the relay apparatus (30).