Online Learning of the Dynamical Internal Model of Transfemoral Prosthesis for Enhancing Compliance

Sophie Heins, Silvia Tolu, Renaud Ronsse

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    Abstract

    Powered prostheses hold promises to restore adaptive and robust locomotion to lower-limb amputees. However, their daily use is still challenged by several shortcomings, on top of which those related to their control methods. This paper reports the development of an adaptive controller for a transfemoral prosthesis that combines a predictive torque component with a feedback error-correction mechanism. The predictive module is based on the Locally Weighted Projection Regression (LWPR) algorithm that achieves nonlinear function approximation of a dynamical model of the prosthesis joints. The performance of the proposed control strategy are assessed with a simulated biped walker with a unilateral transfemoral amputation. Results show that the LWPR-based module provides accurate predictions of the ankle and knee torques, resulting in a precise position tracking. This allows reducing the gains of the feedback error-correction mechanism by one order of magnitude, leading to a feedback contribution to the total joint torque lower than 3% and 8% for the ankle and the knee, respectively. Compliance of both prosthesis joints is enhanced accordingly. In addition, the control architecture is robust to speed changes while the joint dynamical internal model is continuously learned. This approach is thus promising for the development of adaptive controllers for lower-limb prostheses.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters
    Volume6
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)6156 - 6163
    ISSN2377-3766
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021
    Event2021 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems - On-line event, Prague, Czech Republic
    Duration: 27 Sept 20211 Oct 2021
    https://www.iros2021.org/

    Conference

    Conference2021 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems
    LocationOn-line event
    Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
    CityPrague
    Period27/09/202101/10/2021
    Internet address

    Bibliographical note

    Article is accepted to IROS 2021

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