Adaptive-Force-Based Control of Dynamic Legged Locomotion Over Uneven Terrain

Agile-legged robots have proven to be highly effective in navigating and performing tasks in complex and challenging environments, including disaster zones and industrial settings. However, these applications commonly require the capability of carrying heavy loads while maintaining dynamic motion. Therefore, this article presents a novel methodology for incorporating adaptive control into a force-based control system. Recent advancements in the control of quadruped robots show that force control can effectively realize dynamic locomotion over rough terrain. By integrating adaptive control into the force-based controller, our proposed approach can maintain the advantages of the baseline framework while adapting to significant model uncertainties and unknown terrain impact models. Experimental validation was successfully conducted on the Unitree A1 robot. With our approach, the robot can carry heavy loads (up to 50% of its weight) while performing dynamic gaits such as fast trotting and bounding across uneven terrains.