Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal

This paper presents the development of a hardware-in-the-loop ground testbed featuring active gravity compensation via software-in-the-loop integration, specially designed to support research in autonomous robotic removal of space debris. The testbed is designed to replicate six degrees of freedom (...

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Main Authors: Ahmad Al Ali, Bahador Beigomi, Zheng H. Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/877
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author Ahmad Al Ali
Bahador Beigomi
Zheng H. Zhu
author_facet Ahmad Al Ali
Bahador Beigomi
Zheng H. Zhu
author_sort Ahmad Al Ali
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents the development of a hardware-in-the-loop ground testbed featuring active gravity compensation via software-in-the-loop integration, specially designed to support research in autonomous robotic removal of space debris. The testbed is designed to replicate six degrees of freedom (6DOF) motion maneuvering to accurately simulate the dynamic behaviors of free-floating robotic manipulators and free-tumbling space debris under microgravity conditions. The testbed incorporates two industrial 6DOF robotic manipulators, a three-finger robotic gripper, and a suite of sensors, including cameras, force/torque sensors, and tactile tensors. Such a setup provides a robust platform for testing and validating technologies related to autonomous tracking, capture, and post-capture stabilization within the context of active space debris removal missions. Preliminary experimental results have demonstrated advancements in motion control, computer vision, and sensor fusion. This facility is positioned to become an essential resource for the development and validation of robotic manipulators in space, offering substantial improvements to the effectiveness and reliability of autonomous capture operations in space missions.
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spelling doaj-art-47dcb9963b3f4df3894cde8f6295d0832025-08-20T01:53:52ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-10-01111187710.3390/aerospace11110877Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris RemovalAhmad Al Ali0Bahador Beigomi1Zheng H. Zhu2Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, CanadaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, CanadaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, CanadaThis paper presents the development of a hardware-in-the-loop ground testbed featuring active gravity compensation via software-in-the-loop integration, specially designed to support research in autonomous robotic removal of space debris. The testbed is designed to replicate six degrees of freedom (6DOF) motion maneuvering to accurately simulate the dynamic behaviors of free-floating robotic manipulators and free-tumbling space debris under microgravity conditions. The testbed incorporates two industrial 6DOF robotic manipulators, a three-finger robotic gripper, and a suite of sensors, including cameras, force/torque sensors, and tactile tensors. Such a setup provides a robust platform for testing and validating technologies related to autonomous tracking, capture, and post-capture stabilization within the context of active space debris removal missions. Preliminary experimental results have demonstrated advancements in motion control, computer vision, and sensor fusion. This facility is positioned to become an essential resource for the development and validation of robotic manipulators in space, offering substantial improvements to the effectiveness and reliability of autonomous capture operations in space missions.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/877three-dimensional microgravity testbedrobotic manipulatorrobotic finger griperhardware-in-the-loopactive gravity compensationcomputer vision
spellingShingle Ahmad Al Ali
Bahador Beigomi
Zheng H. Zhu
Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
Aerospace
three-dimensional microgravity testbed
robotic manipulator
robotic finger griper
hardware-in-the-loop
active gravity compensation
computer vision
title Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
title_full Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
title_fullStr Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
title_full_unstemmed Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
title_short Development of 6DOF Hardware-in-the-Loop Ground Testbed for Autonomous Robotic Space Debris Removal
title_sort development of 6dof hardware in the loop ground testbed for autonomous robotic space debris removal
topic three-dimensional microgravity testbed
robotic manipulator
robotic finger griper
hardware-in-the-loop
active gravity compensation
computer vision
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/877
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