A new discretization algorithm for nonlinear systems with delayed input is proposed. The algorithm is represented by Taylor series expansion and ZOH assumption. This method is applied to the sampled-data representation of a nonlinear system with the time-delay input. Additionally, the delay in input is time varying and its amplitude is bounded. The maximum time-delay in input is assumed to be two sampling periods. The mathematical expressions of the discretization method are presented and the ability of the algorithm is tested for some of the examples. The computer simulation proves the proposed algorithm discretizes the nonlinear system with the variable time-delay input accurately.

This paper presents an LMI-based method to design sliding mode observers for a class of uncertain systems. Using LIs we derive an existence condition of a sliding mode observer guaranteeing a stable sliding motion. And we give explicit formulas of the observer gain matrices. We also consider sliding mode observer design problems under an α-stability constraint or an LQ performance bound constraint. Finally, we give a numerical design example.

This paper considers a design problem of the repetitive control system for linear systems with time-varying norm bounded uncertainties. Using the Lyapunov functional for time-delay systems, a sufficient condition ensuring robust stability of the repetitive control system is derived in terms of an algebraic Riccati inequality (ARI) or a linear matrix inequality (LMI). Based on the derived condition, we show that the repetitive controller design problem can be reformulated as an optimization problem with an LMI constraint on the free parameter.

This paper is concerned with the design of a predictive PID controller which has similar features to the model-based predictive controller. A PID type control structure is defined, which includes prediction of the outputs and the recalculation of new set points using the future set point data. The optimal values of the PID gains are precalculated using the values of gains calculated from an unconstrained generalized predictive control algorithm. Simulation studies demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller and the results are compared with the conventional PID and fuzzy control algorithms.

The purpose of this research is to improve the reliability of automobile navigation system that utilizes the magnetic compass for localization. On account of its sensitiveness against the dynamic external interference of the magnetic field, the electronic compass itself is not accurate enough to be used for the localization compared to the gyro-compass. To overcome this shortcoming, in this research, a robust electronic compass is designed by using two magnetic compasses to cancel out the dynamic interences efficiently. That is, a dual compass predictive calibration algorithm against irregular external interference of magnetic field is newly proposed and implemented in this paper. When the dynamic interference can be eliminated from the electronic compass, it becomes much accurate than the gyro-based system that suffers from the accumulative drift error. The reliability and performance of the designed system have been verified through the real driving experiments.

In this paper, we describe the modeling for the 3D robot laser scanning system consisting of a laser stripe projector, camera, and 5-DOF robot and propose its calibration method. Nonlinear radial distortion in the camera model is considered for improving the calibration accuracy. The 3D range data is calculated using the optical triangulation principle which uses the geometrical relationship between the camera and the laser stripe plane. For optimal estimation of the system model parameters, real-coded genetic algorithm is applied in the calibration process. Experimental results show that the constructed system is able to measure the 3D position within about 1mm error. The proposed scheme could be applied to the kinematically dissimilar robot system without losing the generality and has a potential for recognition for the unknown environment.

Electromyogram (EMG) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in rehabilitation devices because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes a novel EMG-based human-computer interface for electric-powered wheelchair users with motor disabilities by C4 or C5 spine cord injury. User's commands to control the electric-powered wheelchair are represented by shoulder elevation motions, which are recognized by comparing EMG signals acquired from the levator scapulae muscles with a preset double threshold value. The interface commands for controlling the electric-powered wheelchair consist of combinations of left-, right- and both-shoulders elevation motions. To achieve a real-time interface, we implement an EMG processing hardware composed of analog amplifiers, filters, a mean absolute value circuit and a high-speed microprocessor. The experimental results using an implemented real-time hardware and an electric-powered wheelchair showed that the EMG-based human-computer interface is feasible for the users with severe motor disabilities.

We present a simple and effective method of face and facial feature detection under pose variation of user face in complex background for the human-robot interaction. Our approach is a flexible method that can be performed in both color and gray facial image and is also feasible for detecting facial features in quasi real-time. Based on the characteristics of the intensity of neighborhood area of facial features, new directional template for facial feature is defined. From applying this template to input facial image, novel edge-like blob map (EBM) with multiple intensity strengths is constructed. Regardless of color information of input image, using this map and conditions for facial characteristics, we show that the locations of face and its features - i.e., two eyes and a mouth-can be successfully estimated. Without the information of facial area boundary, final candidate face region is determined by both obtained locations of facial features and weighted correlation values with standard facial templates. Experimental results from many color images and well-known gray level face database images authorize the usefulness of proposed algorithm.

Usual human gait can be modeled as continual impact phenomenon that happens due to the topological change of the kinematic structure of the two feet. The human being adapts his own control algorithm to minimize the ill effect due to the collision with the environment. In order to operate a Humanoid robot like the human being, it is necessary to understand the physics of the impact and to derive an analytical model of the impact. In this paper, specially, we focus on impact analysis of the kicking motion in playing soccer. At the instant of impact, the external impulse exerted on the ball by the foot is an important property. Initially, we introduce the complete external impulse model of the lower-extremity of the human body and analyze the external impulses for several kicking postures of the lower-extremity. Secondly, a trajectory-planning algorithm of a ball, in which the initial velocity and the launch angle of the ball are calculated for a desired trajectory of the ball, will be introduced. The aerodynamic effect such as drag force and lift force is also considered. We carry out numerical simulation and experimentation to verify the effectiveness of the proposed analytical methodology.

In this paper, An analysis on the intelligence system for a biped walking robot(BWR) was made and its results were applied to the BWR. Various sensors were applied to the developed BWR for autonomous and intelligent walk in unknown environments. To measure the distance between the object and BWR, ultrasonic sensor and infrared-rays sensor were used. To identity surrounding environments, vision system was used. Gyro sensor was used to control the posture of BWR. Also, piezoelectricity sensor was used to identity the pressure of foot landing on the surface. Sensors applied to the robot have measurement errors according to noises or walking environments. To improve the function of these sensors, influences of noise or sensing errors were minimized using a sensor fusion scheme. A gait test using the sensor fusion system was performed, and its results are presented.

This paper deals with determination of motions of a humanoid robot using genetic algorithm. A humanoid robot has some problems of the structural instability basically. So, we have to consider the stable walking gait in gait planning. Besides, it is important to make the smoothly optimal gait for saving the electric power. A mobile robot has a battery to move autonomously. But a humanoid robot needs more electric power in order to drive many joints. So, if movements of walking joints don't maintain optimally, it is difficult for a robot to have working time for a long time. Also, if a gait trajectory doesn't have optimal state, the expected life span of joints tends to be decreased. To solve these problems, the genetic algorithm is employed to guarantee the optimal gait trajectory. The fitness functions in a genetic algorithm are introduced to find out optimal trajectory, which enables the robot to have the less reduced jerk of joints and get smooth movement. With these all process accomplished by a PC-based program, the optimal solution could be obtained from the simulation. In addition, we discuss the design consideration for the joint motion and distributed computation of the humanoid, ISHURO, and suggest its result such as the structure of the network and a disturbance observer.

In this paper, we describe the real-time parallel processing simulator developed for the use of performance analysis of rolling missiles. The real-time parallel processing simulator developed here consists of seeker emulator generating infrared image signal on aircraft, real-time computer, host computer, system unit, and actual equipments such as auto-pilot processor and seeker processor. Software is developed from mathematic models, 6 degree-of-freedom module, aerodynamic module which are resided in real-time computer, and graphic user interface program resided in host computer. The real-time computer consists of six TIC-40 processors connected in parallel. The seeker emulator is designed by using analog circuits coupled with mechanical equipments. The system unit provides interface function to match impedance between the components and processes very small electrical signals. Also real launch unit of missiles is interfaced to simulator through system unit. In order to apply the real-time parallel processing simulator to performance analysis equipment of rolling missiles it is essential to perform the performance verification test of simulator.