Automatic planning and coordinated control for redundant dual‐arm space robot system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a novel automatic planning and coordinated control method of redundant dual‐arm space robot for inner space‐station operation based on multiple sensors information by stages. Design/methodology/approach – In order to improve the coordinated control capability of dual‐arm robot system, a four‐layer hierarchical control structure is designed based on the theory of centralization and decentralization. At the high‐level planning of dual‐arm system, a task decomposition strategy based on task knowledge and a task allocation strategy in terms of the robotic capability are proposed, respectively. Moreover, a control method by stages based on the information of multiple sensors is introduced to object recognition, task planning, path planning and trajectory planning. Finally, a 3D simulation and experiment of screwing nut and bolt are implemented on a dual‐arm robot system, and the feasibility and applicability of this control strategy are verified. Findings – The automatic planning can be accomplished by means of sensors information by stages, and by this method, the autonomy and intelligence of dual‐arm space robot system can be further improved. Practical implications – A new automatic planning strategy integrated with multiple sensors information by stages is proposed, and can be implemented on a dual‐arm robot system for inner space‐station operations. This method specializes in heterogeneous dual‐arm robot system. Originality/value – A task decomposition strategy based on task knowledge and a task allocation strategy in terms of the robotic capability are proposed, respectively. Moreover, a control method by stages based on the information of multiple sensors is introduced to object recognition, task planning, path planning and trajectory planning of dual‐arm robot system.