Advancements in Humanoid Robot Locomotion: A Review of Control Strategies and Kinematic Models

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 24 30
    By

    Shubham Mishra,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Electrical Engineering, Jaipur Engineering College & Research Centre, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Humanoid robot locomotion has significantly improved over the past few decades, driven by improvements in control strategies and kinematic models. Researchers aim to develop robots that can walk, run, and navigate complex terrains with efficiency and stability. This review explores recent developments in humanoid locomotion, highlighting control strategies such as model predictive control, reinforcement learning, and central pattern generators. Additionally, it examines kinematic models, including inverted pendulum models and zero moment point (ZMP) methods, which play a crucial role in motion planning and stability. The paper discusses challenges, prospects, and potential applications in healthcare, disaster response, and service industries. Furthermore, advancements in sensor technologies and real-time computational capabilities have enhanced the adaptability of humanoid robots, allowing them to function in dynamic environments with greater precision. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and biomechanics has also contributed to the refinement of locomotion techniques, leading to improved efficiency and energy optimization. Additionally, researchers are exploring hybrid control strategies that combine physics-based modeling with deep learning techniques, enabling robots to learn and adapt in real-time. The increasing use of cloud-based computing and edge AI is further enhancing the processing speed and decision-making capabilities of humanoid robots, making them more autonomous and responsive. In the coming years, advancements in material science and actuator technologies are expected to improve the durability and flexibility of humanoid robots, allowing for more natural and efficient movement. These innovations will facilitate the deployment of humanoid robots in real-world scenarios, contributing to their use in fields such as elderly care, rehabilitation, search-and-rescue, and hazardous environment exploration.

Keywords: Humanoid robot locomotion, bipedal walking control, kinematic modeling, reinforcement learning in robotics, zero moment point (ZMP) stability, energy-efficient robotic motion

[This article belongs to International Journal of Robotics and Automation in Mechanics ]

How to cite this article:
Shubham Mishra. Advancements in Humanoid Robot Locomotion: A Review of Control Strategies and Kinematic Models. International Journal of Robotics and Automation in Mechanics. 2025; 03(01):24-30.
How to cite this URL:
Shubham Mishra. Advancements in Humanoid Robot Locomotion: A Review of Control Strategies and Kinematic Models. International Journal of Robotics and Automation in Mechanics. 2025; 03(01):24-30. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijram/article=2025/view=217011


References

1. Kajita S, Kanehiro F, Kaneko K, Fujiwara K, Harada K, Yokoi K, et al. Biped walking pattern generation by using preview control of zero-moment point. 2003 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (Cat. No.03CH37422), Taipei, Taiwan. 2003. Vol. 2. p. 1620–6. doi: 10.1109/ROBOT.2003.1241826.
2. Huang Q, Yokoi K, Kajita S, Kaneko K, Arai H, Koyachi N, et al. Planning walking patterns for a biped robot. IEEE Trans Robot Autom. 2001;17(3):280–9. doi: 10.1109/70.938385.
3. Miura H, Shimoyama I. Dynamic walk of a biped. Int J Robot Res. 1984;3(2):60–74. doi: 10.1177/027836498400300206.
4. Pratt J, Chew CM, Torres A, Dilworth P, Pratt G. Virtual model control: An intuitive approach for bipedal locomotion. Int J Robot Res. 2001;20(2):129–43. doi: 10.1177/02783640122067309.
5. Collins SH, Ruina A, Tedrake R, Wisse M. Efficient bipedal robots based on passive-dynamic walkers. Science. 2005;307(5712):1082–5. doi: 10.1126/science.1107799. PMID: 15718465.
6. Lee SH, Goswami A. Reaction mass pendulum (RMP): An explicit model for centroidal angular momentum of humanoid robots. Proceedings 2007 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Rome, Italy. 2007. Vol. 4. p. 4667–72. doi: 10.1109/ROBOT.2007.364198.
7. Wensing PM, Orin DE. Generation of dynamic humanoid behaviors through task-space control with conic optimization. 2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2013. p. 3103–9. doi: 10.1109/ICRA.2013.6631008.
8. Kuo AD. Stabilization of lateral motion in passive dynamic walking. Int J Robot Res. 1999;18(9):917–30. doi: 10.1177/02783649922066655.
9. Mistry M, Buchli J, Schaal S. Inverse dynamics control of floating base systems using orthogonal decomposition. 2010 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Anchorage, AK, USA. 2010. p. 3406–12. doi: 10.1109/ROBOT.2010.5509646.
10. Park HW, Wensing PM, Kim S. Online planning for autonomous running jumps over obstacles in high-speed quadrupeds. Proceedings of Robotics: Science and Systems; 2015 Jul; Rome, Italy. doi: 10.15607/RSS.2015.XI.047.
11. Sreenath K, Park HW, Poulakakis I, Grizzle JW. A compliant hybrid zero dynamics controller for stable, efficient and fast bipedal walking on MABEL. Int J Robot Res. 2011;30(9):1170–93. doi: 10.1177/0278364910379882.


Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 06/03/2025
Accepted 10/06/2025
Published 20/06/2025
Publication Time 106 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics