Manipulating Deformable Linear Objects: Sensor-Based Fast Manipulation during Vibration

1 S.YUE is a research fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Abstract It is difficult for robots to handle a vibrating deformable object. Even for human beings it is a high-risk operation to, for example, insert a vibrating linear object into a small hole. However, fast manipulation using a robot arm is not just a dream; it may be achieved if some important features of the vibration are detected on-line. In this paper, we present an approach for fast manipulation using a force/torque sensor mounted on the robot’s wrist. Template matching method is employed to recognize the vibrational phase of the deformable objects. Therefore, a fast manipulation can be performed with a high success rate, even if there is acute vibration. Experiments inserting a deformable object into a hole are conducted to test the presented method. Results demonstrate that the presented sensor-based on-line fast manipulation is feasible.