Development of a Golf Swing Robot to Simulate Human Skill

Abstract

We propose a new golf swing robot to simulate dynamic skill of motion control in human golf swing action, that is, multi-step acceleration by dynamic drive. Human swing is simplified as a motion of two-step acceleration, realized by dynamic coupling drive between equivalent shoulder joint and wrist joint. According to the simplified model, a manipulator with one actuated joint and one passive joint equipped with mechanical stopper or brake is proposed as the mechanism of golf swing robot. A small prototype of the golf swing robot to swing a club for junior has been developed, and swing experiments have been done by the robot. The feasibility of the proposed mechanism and control system for golf swing robot is shown by experimental results.