A geometric approach to solve for the unknown joint angles
required for the autonomous positioning of a robotic arm
has been developed. This analysis is dependent upon the
known lengths of each arm joint to joint link as well as
the desired terminal position of the arm in the threedimensional
space of the arm’s workable area with respect to
arm base. The analysis has been developed around a few basic
assumptions regarding the functionality of the arm, and has
been created using a strictly trigonometric approach with
regards to a geometric representation of the arm. For testing
purposes, an iRobot Create mobile robot platform has been
retrofitted with a robotic arm from Lynxmotion possessing
five degrees of freedom in addition to an end e
ffector. The
geometric method is easily modifiable for similar robotic system
architectures and provides the capability of local autonomy
to a system which is very difficult to manually control.