Multi-stage robust nonlinear model predictive control of a lower-limb exoskeleton robot

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Aliyari, Alireza, Vossoughi, Gholamreza
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Aliyari, Alireza
Vossoughi, Gholamreza
author_facet Aliyari, Alireza
Vossoughi, Gholamreza
contents The use of exoskeleton robots is increasing due to the rising number of musculoskeletal injuries. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on the design of control systems. Designing robust controllers is challenging because of uncertainties in human-robot systems. Among various control strategies, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a powerful approach due to its ability to handle constraints and optimize performance. Previous studies have used linearization-based methods to implement robust MPC on exoskeletons, but these can degrade performance due to nonlinearities in the robot's dynamics. To address this gap, this paper proposes a Robust Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (RNMPC) method, called multi-stage NMPC, to control a two-degree-of-freedom exoskeleton by solving a nonlinear optimization problem. This method uses multiple scenarios to represent system uncertainties. The study focuses on minimizing human-robot interaction forces during the swing phase, particularly when the robot carries unknown loads. Simulations and experimental tests show that the proposed method significantly improves robustness, outperforming non-robust NMPC. It achieves lower tracking errors and interaction forces under various uncertainties. For instance, when a 2 kg unknown payload is combined with external disturbances, the RMS values of thigh and shank interaction forces for multi-stage NMPC are reduced by 77 and 94 percent, respectively, compared to non-robust NMPC.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_22120
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Multi-stage robust nonlinear model predictive control of a lower-limb exoskeleton robot
Aliyari, Alireza
Vossoughi, Gholamreza
Robotics
The use of exoskeleton robots is increasing due to the rising number of musculoskeletal injuries. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on the design of control systems. Designing robust controllers is challenging because of uncertainties in human-robot systems. Among various control strategies, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a powerful approach due to its ability to handle constraints and optimize performance. Previous studies have used linearization-based methods to implement robust MPC on exoskeletons, but these can degrade performance due to nonlinearities in the robot's dynamics. To address this gap, this paper proposes a Robust Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (RNMPC) method, called multi-stage NMPC, to control a two-degree-of-freedom exoskeleton by solving a nonlinear optimization problem. This method uses multiple scenarios to represent system uncertainties. The study focuses on minimizing human-robot interaction forces during the swing phase, particularly when the robot carries unknown loads. Simulations and experimental tests show that the proposed method significantly improves robustness, outperforming non-robust NMPC. It achieves lower tracking errors and interaction forces under various uncertainties. For instance, when a 2 kg unknown payload is combined with external disturbances, the RMS values of thigh and shank interaction forces for multi-stage NMPC are reduced by 77 and 94 percent, respectively, compared to non-robust NMPC.
title Multi-stage robust nonlinear model predictive control of a lower-limb exoskeleton robot
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.22120