Time-optimal trajectory planning for manipulator based on an improved sparrow search algorithm

Abstract With the development of industrial automation, it is crucial to use manipulators for efficient painting. To solve the problem of inefficient trajectory planning of manipulators in the point-to-point painting process, this paper proposes a time-optimal trajectory planning method based on an improved sparrow search algorithm. Initially, the standard D-H parameter method is used to establish the kinematic model of the manipulator. To ensure the continuity of each joint in the manipulator, a 3-5-3 polynomial interpolation function is utilized to construct the motion trajectory in joint space. Subsequently, the improved sparrow search algorithm is utilized to optimize the point-to-point motion trajectory of the manipulator with a constraint on motion time. Finally, simulations carried out in MATLAB demonstrated that the manipulator, which was optimized by using the improved sparrow search algorithm, exhibited a significant increase in motion efficiency compared to its pre-optimization state. Additionally, the movements of the manipulator’s joints were smooth.