In this paper, we propose a Sectorial Fuzzy Controller (SFC) with a feedforward compensation of the robot dynamics in joint space, evaluated at the desired angular positions, velocities, and accelerations, applied to the trajectory tracking of all revolute joints robotic arms. Global uniform asymptotic stability proof applying the direct Lyapunov theorem, is introduced for this new control scheme by using a strict Lyapunov function. This strict Lyapunov function is the first one within the field of fuzzy control that is applied to the trajectory control of robotic manipulators. With this strict Lyapunov function, a sensitivity analysis was also computed for this novel control scheme. Additionally, physical and simulation experimental results are given in comparison to the original control scheme, in which this new controller is inspired: the Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller plus feedforward compensation. The experimental results yielded better performance for the new fuzzy control scheme when compared to the classical structure, in both the joint position errors for similar or smaller values of applied torques, showing the expected tolerance to parametric deviations and uncertainties that all fuzzy controllers possess.

A novel trajectory tracking control approach for robot manipulators that uses adaptive neural network feedforward compensation plus a sectorial fuzzy controller is presented. We conduct simulation and real-time experiments comparing it with two previously published control schemes: a Proportional–Derivative (PD) plus feedforward compensation controller model, and a sectorial fuzzy control plus feedforward compensation model. The proposed controller shows a faster transient response and better steady-state angular error performance than its counterparts, and it maintains its tolerance to parameter deviation, a main characteristic of fuzzy controllers; furthermore, it excludes the need for knowledge of the robot manipulator model to achieve excellent results. A formal stability analysis of the proposed controller in a closed loop with the robot manipulator guarantees that position and velocity errors converge to zero and all signals are uniformly bounded.