This paper deals with the application of a fuzzy-logic-based controller for a drive with a BLDC motor. Two main aspects of the work are presented in this paper. The first of them is focused on the design process of the fuzzy model. For this purpose, the rules of the applied fuzzy system are defined according to the Lyapunov function. The gain coefficients of the controller are optimized using the Chameleon Swarm Algorithm. Various issues and aspects were analyzed in the simulation tests (robustness against parameter changes, the influence of the controller parameters on the precision of control, stages of optimization, etc.). The presented work confirms the assumptions regarding precision and stable operation (also in the presence of changes in the object parameters—the mechanical time constants of the engine) in connection with the applied fuzzy speed controller. Moreover, the second part of the manuscript presents the low-cost power electronic device developed for laboratory tests. It uses STM32 ARM-based microcontrollers (state variable measurement, control algorithm calculation, control signal generation) and a Raspberry Pi 4B microcomputer (control application—reference value and parameter definition). The experiment performed for the control structure—an electric drive with a BLDC motor—verified the theoretical considerations.

The paper is focused on issues related to the control of electrical drives with oscillations of state variables. The main problem deals with the construction of the mechanical part, which contains elastic elements used as a coupling between the motor machine and the load. In such cases, strict tracking of the reference trajectory is difficult, so damping of the disturbances is necessary. For this purpose, the full state vector of the object is applied as the feedback signal for the speed controller. This method is efficient and relatively easy to implement (including the hardware part). However, the control accuracy is dependent on the quality of the parameters identification and the invariance of the object. Thus, two adaptive structures are proposed for the two-mass system. Moreover, selected coefficients were optimized using metaheuristic algorithms (symbiotic organism search and flower pollination algorithm). After presentation of the preliminaries and mathematical background, tests were conducted, and the numerical simulations are shown. Finally, the experimental verification for the 0.5 kW DC machines was performed. The results confirm the theoretical concept and the initial assumptions: the state controller leads to the precise control of the drive with a long shaft; recalculation of the parameters can improve the work of the drive under changes of time constants; modern design tools are appropriate for this application.

The paper presents the application of a new bio-inspired metaheuristic optimization algorithm. The popularity and usability of different swarm-based metaheuristic algorithms are undeniable. The majority of known algorithms mimic the hunting behavior of animals. However, the current approach does not satisfy the full bio-diversity inspiration among different organisms. Thus, the Birch-inspired Optimization Algorithm (BiOA) is proposed as a powerful and efficient tool based on the pioneering behavior of one of the most common tree species. Birch trees are known for their superiority over other species in overgrowing and spreading across unrestricted terrains. The proposed two-step algorithm reproduces both the seed transport and plant development. A detailed description and the mathematical model of the algorithm are given. The discussion and examination of the influence of the parameters on efficiency are also provided in detail. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, its application to selecting the parameters of the control structure of a drive system with an elastic connection is shown. A structure with a PI controller and two additional feedbacks on the torque and speed difference between the drive motor and the working machine was selected. A system with rated and variable parameters is considered. The theoretical considerations and the simulation study were verified on a laboratory stand.

This paper deals with the implementation of an adaptive speed controller applied for two electrical machines coupled by a long shaft. The two main parts of the study are the synthesis of the neural adaptive controller and hardware implementation using a low-cost system based on an STM Discovery board. The framework between the control system, the power converters, and the motors is established with an ARM device. A radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is used as an adaptive speed controller. The net coefficients are updated (online mode) to ensure high dynamics of the system and correct work under disturbance. The results contain transients achieved in simulations and experimental tests.

The article describes the problem of geometric synthesis of the inspection robot suspension system, designed for operation in difficult conditions with the presence of scattered obstacles. The exemplary application of a mine infrastructure inspection robot is developed and supported by the ideas. The brief introduction presents current trends, requirements and known design approaches of platforms enabled to cross the obstacles. The idea of a nature-inspired wheel-legged robot is given, and the general outline of its characteristics is provided. Then the general idea of kinematic system elements selection is discussed. The main subject of geometrical synthesis of the chosen four-bar mechanism is described in detail. The mathematical model of the suspension and connections between the parts of the structure is clarified. The well-known analytical approach of brute force search is analyzed and validated. Then the method inspired by the branch and bound algorithm is developed. Finally, a novel application of the nature-inspired algorithm (the Chameleon Swarm Algorithm) to synthesis is proposed. The obtained results are analyzed, and a brief comparison of methods is given. The successful implementation of the algorithm is presented. The obtained results are effectively tested with simulations and experimental tests. The designed structure developed with the CSA is assembled and attached to the prototype of a 14-DOF wheel-legged robot. Furthermore, the principles of walking and the elements forming the control structure were also discussed. The paper is summarized with the description of the developed wheel-legged robot LegVan 1v2.

In this paper, the problem of the remote control of electric drives with a complex mechanical structure is discussed. Oscillations of state variables and control precision are the main issues found in such applications. The article proposes a smart, IoT-enabled controller, which allows remote communication with a drive. To solve the problem of speed oscillations and to make the system robust to parameter uncertainty, an adaptive controller with two neural networks is designed. First, numerical tests are conducted in a Matlab/Simulink environment to examine the operation of the proposed control strategy. Afterwards, the obtained results are verified in a laboratory setup equipped with a 0.5 kW electric motor. Remote access is provided by a low-cost, ARM-based ESP32 microcontroller. Usually, virtual instruments used to communicate with remote devices require specific software, which may be expensive and pose compatibility problems. Therefore, the main contribution of the article is the creation of a low-cost, web-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI) with an asynchronous server utility provided by the ESP32 that allows remote control and data acquisition of electric drive state variables.