Locomotion trajectory optimization for quadruped robots with kinematic parameter calibration and compensation

It is significant to improve the locomotion trajectory accuracy of a quadruped robot for more applications. A compensation approach with kinematic parameter calibration is proposed to enhance the trajectory accuracy. The motion equation of the foot ends in coordinated gait is given. The related kinematic error model is deduced. The model for identifying the joint parameter errors is implemented via the trajectory error in the Z-direction. The trunk trajectory accuracy enhancement is facilitated by compensating the joint parameter error with joint angles as tuning variables. The performance of the methodology is validated in the simulation system by predetermining ten random sets of joint variable errors. The results indicate that both the trajectory and the attitude accuracy of the calibrated robot can be significantly improved. In practical experiments, it is shown that an error reduction rate of 80% in positional deviation and 58% in attitude error can be achieved.