A spectral conjugate gradient method for motion control of robotic manipulators

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a spectral conjugate gradient method specifically designed to solve unconstrained optimization problems, particularly concerning the motion control of a two-joint planar robotic manipulator. Design/methodology/approach Our approach integrates a spectral parameter derived from the strong Wolfe line search with the conjugate gradient method of Dai and Kou. This approach is evaluated through computational simulations, demonstrating its effectiveness in motion control scenarios. Our design and methodology underscore a rigorous analytical framework combined with practical, application-oriented testing to validate the proposed algorithm’s efficiency and applicability in robotic motion control. Findings We were able to find an effective way to select the spectral parameter, which is crucial for the optimization process in robotic motion control. This improved selection process directly contributes to enhanced numerical performance. Moreover, the implementation of the proposed method in motion control of a two-joint planar robotic manipulator demonstrates its effectiveness. This suggests that the approach not only works theoretically but also proves to be viable in practical, real-world applications. Furthermore, the findings indicate that this approach could potentially be adapted or extended to other types of robotic systems or motion control challenges. Originality/value This paper introduces an enhancement to the spectral conjugate gradient method, marked by a clever parameter selection strategy originating from the strong Wolfe line search, tailored specifically for robotic motion control.