Haptic and Collaborative Robots

Subject description

Haptic and collaborative robots enable human-robot interaction to improve operational efficiency and user experience. Haptic robots allow users to sense and manipulate objects in virtual or remote environments through kinaesthetic and tactile interfaces. They are based on the principles of haptic sensing, modelling and touch display. Impedance and admittance control, teleoperation and stability analysis of haptic robots are key to ensure intuitive and safe interaction. Collaborative robots are designed to interact directly with humans in a working environment where kinematics, dynamics, sensors and specific learning methods allow for safe and effective collaboration. The application is linked to Industry 4.0 concepts involving cyber-physical systems and digital twins. Safety and standards are important in ensuring effective human-robot collaboration.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

Course deals with advanced concepts in robotics, where robot cooperates with the human (direct physical interaction or operation in the shared environment). It analyses physical background, technological challenges and limitations related to the design of haptic and collaborative robots. The emphasis is on concepts required for understanding human responses to artificially generated haptic stimuli (kinesthetic and tactile). The concept of haptic interaction is extended to teleoperation systems. In the field of collaborative robots, the focus is on the use of such robots for the purpose of flexible automation in the context of industry 4.0.

Students get practical experience in the laboratory while executing interdisciplinary research projects.

Teaching and learning methods

Students have a textbook. Lectures focus on theoretical basis and practical applications of haptic and collaborative robots. Because of the specificity of the course, part of the lectures is performed in the form of multimedia presentations. Latest developments in the field of haptic and collaborative robots are presented in the form of "video lectures." Practical exercises are performed in the laboratory, which is equipped with a number of state-of-the-art haptic and collaborative robots. Students work in interdisciplinary project teams, where each student deals with the specific problem of human-robot interaction.

Expected study results

After successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

develop solutions that require physical contact and cooperation between a robot and a human, including teleoperation systems,
choose appropriate method for teaching a robot and solution to ensure operator’s safety,
construct a mechanism of a haptic or collaborative robot,
synthesize robot control,
analyze stability of a robot in contact with a human,
use haptic and collaborative robots in various applications,
develop solutions based on Industry 4.0 concepts.

Basic sources and literature

Mihelj, Matjaž, Haptični roboti, Založba FE in FRI, 2007.
MIHELJ, Matjaž, PODOBNIK, Janez. Haptics for virtual reality and teleoperation, Springer, 2012.
SICILIANO, Bruno, KHATIB, Oussama, Handbook of Robotics, Springer, 2008. 
Grunwald Martin, Human haptic perception : basics and applications, Springer, 2008.