Definition
Force control enables robots to perform delicate operations such as assembly, polishing, or grasping fragile objects by actively managing the contact force rather than just position. Unlike pure position control, which dictates where the robot moves, force control adjusts the robot’s motion based on feedback from force sensors to maintain a specific pressure or torque. This capability is crucial for applications requiring compliance with environmental constraints, ensuring safety and precision in human-robot collaboration and industrial automation.
Summary
Force control is a robotic technique that regulates the interaction forces between a robot’s end-effector and its environment during physical tasks.
Key Concepts
- Impedance Control
- Admittance Control
- Haptic Feedback
- Compliance
Use Cases
- Robotic assembly lines
- Surgical robotics
- Surface polishing and grinding