journal article·2025-06-26Open access

Inverse Kinematics for Robotic Manipulators via Deep Neural Networks: Experiments and Results

Ana Calzada-Garcia, Juan G. Victores, Francisco J. Naranjo-Campos, Carlos Balaguer

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 13

Abstract

This paper explores the application of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) to solve the Inverse Kinematics (IK) problem in robotic manipulators. The IK problem, crucial for ensuring precision in robotic movements, involves determining joint configurations for a manipulator to reach a desired position or orientation. Traditional methods, such as analytical and numerical approaches, have limitations, especially for redundant manipulators, or involve high computational costs. Recent advances in machine learning, particularly with DNNs, have shown promising results and seem fit for addressing these challenges. This study investigates several DNN architectures, namely Feed-Forward Multilayer Perceptrons (MLPs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), for solving the IK problem, using the TIAGo robotic arm with seven Degrees of Freedom (DOFs). Different training datasets, normalization techniques, and orientation representations are tested, and custom metrics are introduced to evaluate position and orientation errors. The performance of these models is compared, with a focus on curriculum learning to optimize training. The results demonstrate the potential of DNNs to efficiently solve the IK problem while avoiding issues such as singularities, competing with traditional methods in precision and speed.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Robotic Mechanisms and Dynamics · Robot Manipulation and Learning · Human Pose and Action Recognition

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

RoboticsLab, Systems and Automation Engineering Department, University Carlos III of Madrid, 28911 Leganés, Spain

Funding

Comunidad de Madrid · Instituto de Salud Carlos III · EU structural funds

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