Cable SCARA Robot Controlled by a Neural Network Using Reinforcement Learning

In this work, three reinforcement learning algorithms (Proximal Policy Optimization, Soft Actor-Critic and Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient) are employed to control a two link SCARA robot. This robot has three cables attached to its end-effector, which creates a triangular shaped workspace. Positioning the end-effector in the workspace is a relatively simple kinematic problem, but moving outside this region, although possible, requires a nonlinear dynamic model and a state-of-the-art controller. To solve this problem in a simple manner, reinforcement learning algorithms are used to find possible trajectories for three targets out of the workspace. Additionally, the SCARA mechanism offers two possible configurations for each end-effector position. The algorithm results are compared in terms of displacement error, velocity and standard deviation among ten trajectories provided by the trained network. The results indicate the Proximal Policy Algorithm as the most consistent in the analyzed situations. Still, the Soft Actor-Critic presented better solutions, and Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient provided interesting and more unusual trajectories.