Multi-Contact Force Estimation for Continuum Robots via Gaussian-Parameterized Factor Graphs

arXiv:2606.29165v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Continuum robots offer key advantages in navigating unstructured environments, but their safe operation requires accurate estimation of the external contact forces acting anywhere along the robot body. Estimating these forces at unknown locations is an ill-conditioned problem, particularly for multiple contacts. We propose a unified shape and force estimation framework formulated on a factor graph. By incorporating a Gaussian mixture force paramete...