Interaction model estimation-based robotic force-position coordinated optimization for rigid–soft heterogeneous contact tasks

Inspired by Model Predictive Interaction Control (MPIC), this paper proposes differential models for estimating contact geometric parameters and normal-friction forces and formulates an optimal control problem with multiple constraints to allow robots to perform rigid–soft heterogeneous contact tasks. Within the MPIC, robot dynamics are linearized, and Extended Kalman Filters are used for the online estimation of geometry-aware parameters. Meanwhile, a geometry-aware Hertz contact model is introduced for the online estimation of contact forces. We then implement the force-position coordinate optimization by incorporating the contact parameters and interaction force constraints into a gradient-based optimization MPC. Experimental validations were designed for two contact modes: “single-point contact” and “continuous contact”, involving materials with four different Young’s moduli and tested in human arm “relaxation–contraction” task. Results indicate that our framework ensures consistent geometry-aware parameter estimation and maintains reliable force interaction to guarantee safety. Our method reduces the maximum impact force by 50% and decreases the average force error by 42%. The proposed framework has potential applications in medical and industrial tasks involving the manipulation of rigid, soft, and deformable objects.