Optimizing motion trajectories of dextrous fingers by dynamic programming technique

An optimization technique based on the well known Dynamic Programming Algorithm is applied to the motion control trajectories and path planning of multi-jointed fingers in dextrous hand designs. A three-fingered hand with each finger containing four degrees of freedom is considered for analysis. After generating the kinematics and dynamics equations of such a hand, optimum values of the joints torques and velocities are computed such that the finger-tips of the hand are moved through their prescribed trajectories with the least time or/and energy to reach the object being grasped. Finally, optimal as well as feasible solutions for the multi-jointed fingers are identified and the results are presented.