Trajectory via-point generation for autonomous mobile manipulation using 3D LiDAR data

In this work, an approach to generating a set of via points for use in manipulator trajectory path planning is presented. The approach was developed for use on a robotic underground mining system, particularly for the task of autonomous application of a sprayable concrete called shotcrete. A LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanner on a nodding head produces point clouds that are used as the input for the via-point selection algorithm. The algorithm generates a set of position and orientation via points that the manipulator must follow to perform the shotcreting task. The developed algorithm has been successfully tested on an autonomous mobile-manipulator system in a scaled mock-up of an underground mine. The main advantage of this algorithm is the ability to generate via points for any section of an underground mine in any position relative to the robot.