Panfeng Huang

Xiyao Liu, Haitao Chang, Fei Hui et al.

Angular velocity estimation is critical for eddy current de-tumbling of noncooperative space targets. However, unknown model of the noncooperative target and few observation data make the model-based estimation methods challenged. In this paper, a Data-driven Moving Horizon Estimation method is proposed to estimate the angular velocity of the noncooperative target with de-tumbling torque. In this method, model-free state estimation of the angular velocity can be achieved using only one historical trajectory data that satisfies the rank condition. With local linear approximation, the Willems fundamental lemma is extended to nonlinear autonomous systems, and the rank condition for the historical trajectory data is deduced. Then, a data-driven moving horizon estimation algorithm based on the M step Lyapunov function is designed, and the time-discount robust stability of the algorithm is given. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, experiments and simulations are performed to estimate the angular velocity in eddy current de-tumbling with only de-tumbling torque measurement.

Zihao Liu, Xing Liu, Yizhai Zhang et al.

Robotic manipulation holds the potential to replace humans in the execution of tedious or dangerous tasks. However, control-based approaches are not suitable due to the difficulty of formally describing open-world manipulation in reality, and the inefficiency of existing learning methods. Thus, applying manipulation in a wide range of scenarios presents significant challenges. In this study, we propose a novel method for skill learning in robotic manipulation called Tactile Active Inference Reinforcement Learning (Tactile-AIRL), aimed at achieving efficient training. To enhance the performance of reinforcement learning (RL), we introduce active inference, which integrates model-based techniques and intrinsic curiosity into the RL process. This integration improves the algorithm's training efficiency and adaptability to sparse rewards. Additionally, we utilize a vision-based tactile sensor to provide detailed perception for manipulation tasks. Finally, we employ a model-based approach to imagine and plan appropriate actions through free energy minimization. Simulation results demonstrate that our method achieves significantly high training efficiency in non-prehensile objects pushing tasks. It enables agents to excel in both dense and sparse reward tasks with just a few interaction episodes, surpassing the SAC baseline. Furthermore, we conduct physical experiments on a gripper screwing task using our method, which showcases the algorithm's rapid learning capability and its potential for practical applications.

Mingchao Qi, Yuanjin Li, Xing Liu et al.

Developing general robotic systems capable of manipulating in unstructured environments is a significant challenge, particularly as the tasks involved are typically long-horizon and rich-contact, requiring efficient skill transfer across different task scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose knowledge graph-based skill library construction method. This method hierarchically organizes manipulation knowledge using "task graph" and "scene graph" to represent task-specific and scene-specific information, respectively. Additionally, we introduce "state graph" to facilitate the interaction between high-level task planning and low-level scene information. Building upon this foundation, we further propose a novel hierarchical skill transfer framework based on the skill library and tactile representation, which integrates high-level reasoning for skill transfer and low-level precision for execution. At the task level, we utilize large language models (LLMs) and combine contextual learning with a four-stage chain-of-thought prompting paradigm to achieve subtask sequence transfer. At the motion level, we develop an adaptive trajectory transfer method based on the skill library and the heuristic path planning algorithm. At the physical level, we propose an adaptive contour extraction and posture perception method based on tactile representation. This method dynamically acquires high-precision contour and posture information from visual-tactile images, adjusting parameters such as contact position and posture to ensure the effectiveness of transferred skills in new environments. Experiments demonstrate the skill transfer and adaptability capabilities of the proposed methods across different task scenarios. Project website: https://github.com/MingchaoQi/skill_transfer

Tianle Liu, Zhixiang Wang, Yongwei Zhang et al.

This paper proposes a distributed on-orbit spacecraft assembly algorithm, where future spacecraft can assemble modules with different functions on orbit to form a spacecraft structure with specific functions. This form of spacecraft organization has the advantages of reconfigurability, fast mission response and easy maintenance. Reasonable and efficient on-orbit self-reconfiguration algorithms play a crucial role in realizing the benefits of distributed spacecraft. This paper adopts the framework of imitation learning combined with reinforcement learning for strategy learning of module handling order. A robot arm motion algorithm is then designed to execute the handling sequence. We achieve the self-reconfiguration handling task by creating a map on the surface of the module, completing the path point planning of the robotic arm using A*. The joint planning of the robotic arm is then accomplished through forward and reverse kinematics. Finally, the results are presented in Unity3D.