Kinematic and Dynamic Analyses of Human Arm Motion

Purpose: Determining an appropriate path is a top priority in order for a robot to maneuver in a dynamically efficient way especially in a pick-and -place task. In a non-standardized work environment, current robot arm executes its motion based on the kinematic displacements of joint variables, though resulting motion is not dynamically optimal. In this research we suggest analyzing and applying motion patterns of the human arm as an alternative to perform near optimum motion trajectory for arbitrary pick-and-place tasks. Methods: Since the motion of a human arm is very complicated and diverse, it was simplified into two links: one from the shoulder to the elbow, and the other from the elbow to the hand. Motion patterns were then divided into horizontal and vertical components and further analyzed using kinematic and dynamic methods. The kinematic analysis was performed based on the D-H parameters and the dynamic analysis was carried out to calculate various parameters such as velocity, acceleration, torque, and energy using the Newton-Euler equation of motion and Lagrange′s equation. In an attempt to assess the efficacy of the analyzed human motion pattern it was compared to the virtual mechanical and created by the joint interpolation method. Results: To demonstrate the efficacy of the human arm motion mechanical and dynamical analyses were performed, followed by the comparison with the virtual robot motion path that was created by the joint interpolation method. Consequently, the human arm was observed to be in motion while the elbow was bent. In return this contributed to the increase of the manipulability and decrease of gravity and torque being exerted on the elbow. In addition, the energy required for the motion decreased. Such phenomenon was more apparent under vertical motion than horizontal motion patterns, and in shorter paths than in longer ones. Thus, one can minimize the abrasion of joints by lowering the stress applied to toe bones, muscles, and joints. From the perspectives of energy and durability, the robot arm will be able to utilize its motor most effectively by adopting the motion pattern of human arm. Conclusions: By applying the motion pattern of human arm to the robot arm motion, increase in efficiency and durability is expected, which will eventually produce robots capable of moving in an energy-efficient manner.