A Switched Adaptive Controller for Robotic Gripping of Novel Objects With Minimal Force

We present the design and implementation of an algorithm, equipped with a switched adaptive controller, for grasping unknown objects using a robot gripper. A Lyapunov-based analysis demonstrates that the switching controller is indeed asymptotically stable with both the translational and rotational slip velocities converging to the origin. Experimental results using a novel sensorized gripper prototype and objects of different sizes, shapes, and weights show that the proposed algorithm not only ensures the prevention of slippage of the grasped objects, but is also able to apply the minimal force needed to safely grasp these objects without causing excessive deformation.