LAUSR

This paper describes the design and implementation of a novel adaptive control method to track a set of bioinspired reference trajectories. These references define anthropomorphic movements for an exoskeleton robot. The proposed controller implemented the adjustment laws for the variable gains of a state feedback (Proportional-Derivative type) structure. The method to adjust the adaptive gains was determined using a controlled Lyapunov function. The adaptation laws use velocity estimation based on a robust exact differentiator (RED) implemented as a variation of a distributed Super-Twisting algorithm. The adaptive gain controller was evaluated on a simulated exoskeleton structure. The set of simulations considered the presence of external disturbances and modeling uncertainties. The controller proved efficient in rejecting external perturbations/uncertainties affecting the exoskeleton. The proposed controller’s performance was superior to the one obtained if the standard fixed-gain proportional derivative controller was evaluated. As an additional benefit of the adaptive PD controller implementation, a controller power reduction of at least 14 % concerning the non-adaptive version of the feedback controller was attained. An experimental evaluation of the proposed controller confirmed the benefits of the proposed controller with adaptive gains. The successful tracking of nine different biomechanically inspired reference trajectories justified the exoskeleton application, which could be used as a potential tool for rehabilitation purposes.