Control of single-master multi-slave manipulator system using VIM

A single-master, multiple-slave manipulator system and its task-oriented control using VIM (virtual internal model) are proposed. By using this system, the operator no longer has to consider how to control the slave arms in coordination, so the operator can concentrate on his/her task during the operation. An experimental single-master, multislave manipulator system with two slave arms, each of which has six degrees of freedom, is described, and the concept of the system is illustrated. The experimental system does not have a bilateral function, and a master arm can specify the task-oriented variable up to six degrees of freedom. The use of bilateral feedback as well as task-oriented functions will enable the system to deal with more complex tasks.>