Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This work presents a method to utilise only haptic information in successfully completing a threaded insertion. We derive the insights for this task from human demonstrations and highlight the sufficiency of haptic data in this application, without the use of vision-based feedback or complex geometric models. We begin with human demonstrations to characterize the haptic artefacts that arise while employing backspinning motion. Force and motion data reveal a repeatable axial force transient (a spike); this signature repeats periodically for each revolution and appears for both internally and externally threaded parts of varying sizes. We then validate the same haptic cue on a robot arm. Finally, we use this insight in an end-to-end bulb insertion pipeline. A custom mechanical adapter ensures a secure grasp to enable autonomous threaded insertion of the bulb. Experimental results confirm that the force-based approach enables robust and repeatable insertion, demonstrating that haptic cues alone are sufficient for everyday threaded assemblies.
Source: Robotics
Authors: Gautami Golani, Kenzhi Iskandar Wong, Suhas Raghavendra Kulkarni, Sugandhana Shanmuganathan, Sri Harsha Turlapati, Yongjun Wee, Domenico Campolo
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
Award: G5579028765
OpenAlex ID: W4416945458