Joint Space and Task Space Representations for Concentric Tube Continuum Robots

In this repository, different representations are used to generate new smaller datasets based on the CRL-Dataset-CTCR-Pose. Code and derived datasets will be provided.

A Dataset and Benchmark for Learning the Kinematics of Concentric Tube Continuum Robots

We use a dataset captured from a three-tube concentric tube continuum robot for use in learning-based kinematics research. The dataset consists of 100 000 joint configurations and the corresponding four 6 dof sensors in SE(3) measured with an electromagnetic tracking system. The dataset has been collected in eight sequences. Each sequence encompasses 12 500 dataset points. A dataset point consists all 6 dof of Cartesian space SE(3) described by the singularity free quaternion/vector-pairs for each sensor pose, all 6 dof of joints space Q, and the difference in joint space configuration to the previous configuration.

CRL-Dataset-CTCR-Pose is a lightweight dataset and has a size of 56.5 MB. It is provided as a CVS file. A dataset point consists:

  • six absolute joint values
  • six relative joint values
  • pose of the base
  • pose of the proximal sensor attached to the outermost tube
  • pose of the sensor attached to the middle tube
  • pose of the distal sensor attached to the most inner tube

The annotation of the dataset is provided in table below.

Image

For more details on the dataset, our paper provide implementation details on the data acquisition and a brief overview of the used testbed including the robotic prototype. Furthermore, insights on learning the kinematics of this type of robot and a discussion on open challenges are provided. If you want to cite our CRL-Dataset-CTCR-Pose, you can use our IROS 2022 paper (Preprint):

    @inproceedings{GrassmannBurgner-Kahrs_et_al_RSS_WS_2022,
        title       =   {A Dataset and Benchmark for Learning the Kinematics of Concentric Tube Continuum Robots},
        author      =   {Grassmann, Reinhard M. and Chen, Ryan Zeyuan and Liang, Nan and Burgner-Kahrs, Jessica},
        url         =   {https://openreview.net/pdf?id=DW9uz_GZ0og},
        year        =   {2022},
        booktitle   =   {Robotics: Science and Systems -- Workshop on Learning from Diverse, Offline Data (L-DOD)},
    }

Concentric Tube Continuum Robots

Concentric tube continuum robots (CTCR) are a class of continuum robots introduced in 2006. A CTCR consists of multiple nested tubes that are concentric, pre-curved, and super-elastic. To generate a motion by changing the centerline of the nested tubes, each tube can be rotated and translated as shown in this video. The kinematics of a CTCR is characterized by the highly non-linear behavior of the elastic interaction between the tubes.

CTCR are proposed and introduced simulatneously by

More details on CTCR, ckeck the following review paper

An attempt to define a CTCR and some details on retrospective on the development of CTCR prototypes can be found in our RSS workshop paper

Take a look at the following paper using learning-based approaches. They are presented in chronological order.

Note that the list is not exhaustive and will change as new publications appear. If you want to add your publication, shoot me a message.