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In the work modeling method of anthropomorphic platforms is presented. An elastostatic stiffness model is used to determine positioning errors in the robot’s lower limbs. One of the main problems in achieving a fast and stable gait are deflections caused by the flexibility in the elements of the robot. This problem was solved using virtual joint modeling to predict stiffness and deformation caused by the robot weight and external forces.

To simulate a robot in the single-support phase, the robot is represented as a serial kinematic chain with a base at the supporting leg point of contact and an end effector in the swing leg foot. In the double support phase robot modeled as a parallel manipulator with an end effector in the pelvis. In this work, two cases of stiffness modeling are used: taking into account the compliance of the links and joints and taking into account only the compliance of joints. In the last case, joint compliances also include part of the link compliances. The joint stiffness parameters have been identified for two anthropomorphic robots: a small platform and a full-sized AR-601M.

Deflections maps were calculated using identified stiffness parameters and showing errors depending on the position of the robot end effector in the workspace. The errors in Z directions have maximum amplitude, due to the influence of the robot mass on its structure.

The paper is a study of the mathematical model and kinematics of a parallel spherical manipulator. This type of manipulator was proposed back in the 80s of the last century and has since found application in exoskeletons and rehabilitation robots due to its structure, which allows imitating natural joint movements of the human body.

The Parallel Spherical Manipulator is a robot with three legs and two platforms, a base platform and a mobile platform. Its legs consist of two support links that are arc-shaped. Mathematically, the manipulator can be described using two virtual pyramids that are placed on top of each other.

The paper considers two types of manipulator configurations: classical and asymmetric, and solves basic kinematic problems for each. The study shows that the asymmetric design of the manipulator has the maximum workspace, especially when the motors are mounted at the joints of the manipulator’s links inside legs.

To optimize the parameters of the parallel spherical manipulator, we introduced a metric of usable workspace volume. This metric represents the volume of the sector of the sphere in which the robot does not experience internal collisions or singular states. There are three types of singular states possible within a parallel spherical manipulator — serial, parallel, and mixed singularity. We used all three types of singularities to calculate the useful volume. In our research work, we solved the problem related to maximizing the usable volume of the workspace.

Through our research work, we found that the asymmetric configuration of the spherical manipulator maximizes the workspace when the motors are located at the articulation point of the robot leg support arms. At the same time, the parameter $\beta_1$ must be zero degrees to maximize the workspace. This allowed us to create a prototype robot in which we eliminated the use of lower links in legs in favor of a radiused rail along which the motors run. This allowed us to reduce the linear dimensions of the robot itself and gain on the stiffness of the structure.

The results obtained can be used to optimize the parameters of the parallel spherical manipulator in various industrial and scientific applications, as well as for further research of other types of parallel robots and manipulators.