Observer based output feedback tracking control of robot manipulators

In this paper, we developed a new observer based output feedback (OFB) tracking controller for rigid-link robot manipulators. Specifically, a model independent variable structure like observer structure in conjunction with the use of desired system dynamics in the controller design have been utilized to remove the link velocity dependency of the controller and the asymptotic stability of the observer-controller couple is then guaranteed via Lyapunov based arguments. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the observer/controller performance.