Smooth movements of the robot reduce energy consumption by 40%



    Most of the robots shown in old (and some new) science fiction films were jerky. Until recently, most real robots moved the same way. Now high technology has led to the fact that the movements of robots can be very smooth, without jerking.

    In order to visually see the advantages of smooth movements of robotic systems over movements that are more like jerks, a team of researchers from Chalmers University conducted a special experiment. It used the same mechanical system, which was controlled by various motion algorithms.

    The first group of software allowed the robot to move the way we are used to it - in jerks. The second group of software included a special algorithm that smooths the movements of the robot. As it turned out, the second method is preferable, and not only because this way the movement of the robot looks better for humans. No, it is all about rationality and energy saving: with smooth, smooth movements of the robot, energy was consumed 40% less than in the case of movements that were not smoothed.



    Most industrial robots, robotic machines with manipulators and the like systems move without smoothing. Researchers (whose work, in particular, is supported by General Motors) indicate that the use of motion smoothing algorithms will allow industries to save significant money as a result of more energy-efficient operation of production systems. 40% savings are huge, on a large enterprise scale.

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