Robotic Grasping of Unknown Objects: A Knowledge-based Approach
- 1 August 1991
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in The International Journal of Robotics Research
- Vol. 10 (4), 314-326
- https://doi.org/10.1177/027836499101000402
Abstract
In this article we describe a general-purpose robotic grasping system for use in unstructured environments. Using computer vision and a compact set of heuristics, the system automatically generates the robot arm and hand motions reqrsired for grasping an unmodeled object. The utility of such a system is most evident in environ ments where the robot will have to grasp and manipulate a variety of unknown objects, but many of these manipu lation tasks may be relatively simple. Examples of such domains are planetary exploration and astronaut assis tance, undersea salvage and rescue, and nuclear waste site clean-up. This work implements a two-stage model of grasping: stage one is an orientation of the hand and wrist and a ballistic reach toward the object; stage two is hand preshaping and adjustment. Visual features are first extracted from the unmodeled object. These features and their relations are used by an expert system to generate a set of valid reach/grasps for the object. These grasps are then used in driving the robot hand and arm to bring the fingers into contact with the object in the desired configu ration. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the functioning of the system.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- On grasp choice, grasp models, and the design of hands for manufacturing tasksIEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 1989
- The initial grasp liftability chartIEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 1989
- Constructing Force- Closure GraspsThe International Journal of Robotics Research, 1988
- Simplified grasping and manipulation with dextrous robot handsIEEE Journal on Robotics and Automation, 1986
- Determining Grasp Configurations using Photometric Stereo and the PRISM Binocular Stereo SystemThe International Journal of Robotics Research, 1986