To address the strong nonlinearity, time-varying load, and asymmetric actuator characteristics in the hydraulic system of unmanned excavator working devices, an asymmetric fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control method was proposed. First, the kinematic model of the manipulator was analyzed to achieve mapping transformation between joint space and drive space. Second, a hybrid interpolation strategy combining quintic polynomial and linear segments was adopted to generate a continuously smooth breaking trajectory, which reduced computational load and improves trajectory executability. Finally, asymmetric membership functions and fuzzy rules were designed to construct an asymmetric fuzzy PID controller for precise trajectory tracking of the breaker end. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared with conventional PID and fuzzy PID control, the proposed method significantly improves response speed and tracking accuracy. Field experiments further verify that during multi-actuator coordinated control, the asymmetric fuzzy PID effectively suppresses impact oscillations, ensuring smoother arm motion and superior tracking accuracy and adaptability under complex trajectories and high-impact conditions. Moreover, the stable performance of the proposed method in typical breaking operations confirms its applicability, indicating its potential for practical deployment in unmanned excavator operation control under complex working conditions.
YANG Xiu-jian, LI Ce-chuan, ZHANG Sheng-bin.
Control and Experiment of Unmanned Excavator Based on Asymmetric Fuzzy PID[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(8): 3463-3475 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503068
EralievO M U, LeeK H, ShinD Y, et al. Sensing, perception, decision, planning and action of autonomous excavators[J]. Automation in Construction, 2022, 141: 104428.
LiYunhua, FanRujun, YangLiman, et al. Research status and development trend of intelligent excavators[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2020, 56(13): 165-178.
[4]
JungT, RaduenzH, KrusP, et al. Boom energy recuperation system and control strategy for hydraulic hybrid excavators[J]. Automation in Construction, 2022, 135: 104046.
[5]
VahdatikhakiF, LangroodiA K, OldeS L, et al. Feedback support system for training of excavator operators[J]. Automation in Construction, 2022, 136: 104188.
[6]
LiuZ, KimJ I. Autonomous earthwork machinery for urban construction: a review of integrated control, fleet coordination, and safety assurance[J]. Buildings, 2025, 15(14): 2570.
[7]
IshiharaS, KanazawaA, NarikawaR. Realization of excavator loading operation by nonlinear model predictive control with bucket load estimation[J]. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2021, 54(20): 20-25.
[8]
ZhangL, ZhaoJ, LongP, et al. An autonomous excavator system for material loading tasks[J]. Science Robotics, 2021, 6(55): 3164.
[9]
RenZ, KimJ I. The role of AI in on-site construction robotics: a state-of-the-art review using the sense-think-act framework[J]. Buildings, 2025, 15(13): 2374.
LiWei, DengZhaohui, GeJimin, et al. Research progress of joint space trajectory planning for robots[J]. Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering, 2022, 51(10): 15-23.
ZhangYunyue, SunZhiyi, SunQianlai, et al. Time optimal trajectory planning of excavator based on deep reinforcement learning[J]. Control and Decision, 2024, 39(5): 1433-1440.
[16]
HaoX, XinZ, HuangW, et al. Deep reinforcement learning enhanced PID control for hydraulic servo systems in injection molding machines[J]. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1): 23005.
[17]
FuT, HuZ, ZhangT, et al. Physics-informed neural networks-based online excavation trajectory planning forunmanned excavator[J]. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2024, 37(1): 131.
[18]
SchwarzJ, LohmannB. Robust identification and control of mobile hydraulic systems using a decentralized valve structure[J]. Control Engineering Practice, 2024, 151: 106030.
[19]
FengH, SongQ, MaS, et al. A new adaptive sliding mode controller based on the RBF neural network for an electro-hydraulic servo system[J]. ISA Transactions, 2022, 129: 472-484.
[20]
FengH, JiangJ, ChangX, et al. Adaptive sliding mode controller based on fuzzy rules for a typical excavator electro-hydraulic position control system[J]. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 2023, 126: 107008.
[21]
TomatsuT, NonakaK, SekiguchiK, et al. Model predictive trajectory tracking control for hydraulic excavator on digging operation[C]// Proceedings of 2015 IEEE Conference on Control Applications (CCA). Piscataway: IEEE, 2015: 1136-1141.
YanRui, ZhouHuixing, ZhangYupin, et al. Research on attitude control of space hoisting based on fuzzy PID control[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2023, 23(11): 4702-4708.
YangXin, ZhangJin, LiuZhi. Optimization of improved particle swarm fuzzy PID algorithm for aeration control in wastewater treatment[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(7): 3064-3070.
ZouShuliang, ZhuPingping, XieYupeng, et al. Simulation analysis of fuzzy PID control for electro-hydraulic proportional system of excavator bucket based on MATLAB-AMESim[J]. Machine Tool & Hydraulics, 2020, 48(14): 163-166.
PuHongyun, JiangGang, HaoXing’an, et al. Compound control strategy of valve-controlled asymmetric cylinder based on variable fuzzy PID controller[J]. Chinese Hydraulics & Pneumatics, 2022, 46(11): 82-89.
ZhangXinrong, KangLong, TangJiapeng, et al. Trajectory tracking of intelligent excavator based on variable-domain fuzzy multi-parameter self-tuning PID control[J]. China Journal of Highway and Transport, 2023, 36(2): 240-250.