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Collaborating Authors

 Zhang, Lunwei


Enhancing Regrasping Efficiency Using Prior Grasping Perceptions with Soft Fingertips

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

Grasping the same object in different postures is often necessary, especially when handling tools or stacked items. Due to unknown object properties and changes in grasping posture, the required grasping force is uncertain and variable. Traditional methods rely on real-time feedback to control the grasping force cautiously, aiming to prevent slipping or damage. However, they overlook reusable information from the initial grasp, treating subsequent regrasping attempts as if they were the first, which significantly reduces efficiency. To improve this, we propose a method that utilizes perception from prior grasping attempts to predict the required grasping force, even with changes in position. We also introduce a calculation method that accounts for fingertip softness and object asymmetry. Theoretical analyses demonstrate the feasibility of predicting grasping forces across various postures after a single grasp. Experimental verifications attest to the accuracy and adaptability of our prediction method. Furthermore, results show that incorporating the predicted grasping force into feedback-based approaches significantly enhances grasping efficiency across a range of everyday objects.


Modeling, Simulation, and Application of Spatio-Temporal Characteristics Detection in Incipient Slip

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

--Incipient slip detection provides critical feedback for robotic grasping and manipulation tasks. However, maintaining its adaptability under diverse object properties and complex working conditions remains challenging. This article highlights the importance of completely representing spatiotemporal features of slip, and proposes a novel approach for incipient slip modeling and detection. Based on the analysis of localized displacement phenomenon, we establish the relationship between the characteristic strain rate extreme events and the local slip state. This approach enables the detection of both the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of stick -slip regions. Also, the proposed method can be applied to strain distribution sensing devices, such as vis ion-based tactile sensors. Simulations and prototype experiments validated the effectiveness of this approach under varying contact conditions, including different contact geometries, friction coefficients, and combined loads. Experiments demonstrated that this method not only accurately and reliably delineates incipient slip, but also facilitates friction parameter estimation and adaptive grasping control. INTRODUCTION ACTILE perception plays a crucial role in stable grasping and dexterous manipulation in humans [1]. Neuroscientific studies show that humans can identify the frictional parameters of objects they touch with over 90% accuracy [2], and quickly adjust the grasp force within about 200 milliseconds to prevent slipping [3]. This ability enables humans to adapt to changes in friction levels based on tactile feedback and apply proper force to ensure s tability while maintaining gentle grasping [4]. The perception of incipient slip is an effective means for friction parameter recognition and grasp force control [5],[6]. Incipient slip is an intermediate state between complete sticking and full slipping of the contact surface, as shown in Figure 1. When a tangential load is applied to the contact surface, slip first occurs at the contact edge. It gradually spreads inward, eventually covering the entire stick region [7]. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 52375017. We refer to these two characteristics of incipient slip as spatial and temporal characteristics: spatial characteristics refer to the distribution of the stick -slip reg ion at a given moment, while temporal characteristics describe the time evolution of local slip. These characteristics are widely present in human tactile perception. According to existing research, Human sensory information is encoded by neural populations to capture spatial distribution, rather than being transmitted by individual neurons. Besides, skin deformation can be influenced by the loading history [9].


EasyCalib: Simple and Low-Cost In-Situ Calibration for Force Reconstruction with Vision-Based Tactile Sensors

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

For elastomer-based tactile sensors, represented by visuotactile sensors, routine calibration of mechanical parameters (Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio) has been shown to be important for force reconstruction. However, the reliance on existing in-situ calibration methods for accurate force measurements limits their cost-effective and flexible applications. This article proposes a new in-situ calibration scheme that relies only on comparing contact deformation. Based on the detailed derivations of the normal contact and torsional contact theories, we designed a simple and low-cost calibration device, EasyCalib, and validated its effectiveness through extensive finite element analysis. We also explored the accuracy of EasyCalib in the practical application and demonstrated that accurate contact distributed force reconstruction can be realized based on the mechanical parameters obtained. EasyCalib balances low hardware cost, ease of operation, and low dependence on technical expertise and is expected to provide the necessary accuracy guarantees for wide applications of visuotactile sensors in the wild.