Kinematic manipulability of general constrained rigid multibody systems

Abstract

Extends the kinematic manipulability concept commonly used for serial manipulators to general constrained rigid multibody systems. Examples of such systems include multiple cooperating manipulators, multiple fingers holding a payload, multi-leg walking robots, and variable geometry trusses. Explicit formulas for velocity and force manipulability ellipsoids are derived and their duality explained. The concept of unstable grasp and manipulable grasp are also extended and illustrated with examples.