Announcements

Dr. Ronald Sabo is one of the authors of a notable paper published in our journal Actuators (ISSN: 2076-0825):

“Robotic Arm Position Computing Method in the 2D and 3D Spaces”
by Roland Szabo and Radu-Stefan Ricman
Actuators 2023, 12(3), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/act12030112
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/3/112

The following is a short interview with Dr. Ronald Sabo:

1. Can you briefly introduce your latest research published in Actuators?

This paper introduces a methodology for determining the position of a robotic arm within two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces. This approach diverges slightly from established techniques such as forward or inverse kinematics. The proposed methodology is optical and employs a stereo vision configuration using two video cameras to identify and calculate the subsequent movement of the robotic arm in space. The method involves detecting the coordinates of markers affixed to the joints of the robotic arm via the video cameras. These marker coordinates are connected by straight lines, with circles inscribed around certain points. From the tangents to these circles, a non-Cartesian (orthogonal) coordinate system is constructed, which is used to calculate the robotic arm's target position. All graphical overlays are projected onto the live video stream. Furthermore, this paper delineates an alternative method for determining the stereo distance through triangulation. Another method is also outlined, wherein a non-Cartesian (orthogonal) 3D coordinate system is established to ascertain the robotic arm's target position in three-dimensional space. The system operates in a loop, enabling the robotic arm to undergo micro-adjustments to precisely achieve the desired positioning. Consequently, there is no necessity for calibrations of the robotic arm. In an industrial context, this negates the requirement to halt the production line, resulting in significant cost savings.

2. What inspired you to focus on this topic?

The inspiration for focusing on this topic came from my endless interest in robotics, mainly in robot control algorithms. I felt there was a lack in robotic arm control methods, some of which need to be updated for today's standards and requirements. I observed that after multiple repeated movements of a robotic assembly, they tend to shift from their preprogrammed position, generating an increasing offset after each movement. To overcome this offset of the precisely programmed movement points, I have developed an optical robotic arm position computing method, which can help to adjust the offset of robotic arms during the execution of their movement, thus eliminating the need to stop them during their task execution to adjust the offset manually. In the case of a robotic arm on a production line, there is no need to stop the production line in order to make necessary manual calibrations of the shift of the robotic arm from its predefined movement points, achieving enormous production cost savings.

3. What are the most exciting findings or innovations in your study? How do you see your research impacting the field of actuator technology?

The most exciting finding or innovation in my study is computing the non-Cartesian coordinate system just from the tangents of the two circles drawn around the shoulder joint and the elbow joint of the robotic arm. As the coordinate system is able to actually compute the movement of all motors from the joints in order for the end effector to move into the target position, this is really one of the most exciting achievements in this study. The impact of actuator technology should be this different approach to computing a robotic arm's position, used as a complementary method to the well-known forward and inverse kinematics.

4. Why did you choose Actuators as the journal for your publication, and how your experience has been with the editorial process?

I have chosen Actuators due to the fact that my study on robotics is closely aligned with the main topics of the Actuators journal—having to control multiple motors is one of the main concerns for the journal. The experience with the editorial process was excellent. The communication with the editorial team was clear and easy, the editors were kind, and the publication process was really fast, simple, and straightforward.

5. What advice would you offer to early career researchers aiming to publish in Actuators, and would you recommend the journal to your peers?

My advice for early career researchers would be that if they have a research topic related to Actuators, should not hesitate to publish in this journal because it is a highly valued journal, with a high Impact Factor and CiteScore—to try to write a high-value research paper and to submit it to the journal. I will definitely recommend Actuators to my peers, as it is a highly valued journal that can help them advance in their scientific careers.