Homework #4 - Skew symmetric matrices, angular velocity, and the manipulator Jacobian

Due: Oct. 16, 2008.

This first part of this homework will lead you through some of the more interesting aspects of SO(3) and so(3). If you find the results beautiful and intriguing, track down a copy of the robotics text by Murray, Li and Sastry or the 3D Computer vision book by Ma et al. to see more applications of the matrix exponential and its relationship to SO(3) and so(3).
The second part of the homework is less beautiful, but perhaps more useful. For it, you will compute several manipulator Jacobians, and investigate singularities. For this assignment, feel free to use a symbolic math package (e.g., Robotica) to do the tedious algebra, but be sure to explain your work.

The Assignment

Solve the following problems
4-4
4-7 and 4-8
4-9 This one is not nearly so difficult as it may first seem.
4-10 and 4-11
4-12 This one should not require loads of algebra.
4-16, 4-17, 4-18
4-19 Also, give a geometric explanation for the singularities of the SCARA arm.
4-20 Also, give a geometric explanation for the singularities of the cylindrical arm.