Tendon-sheath actuators (TSAs), similar to Bowden cable-based series elastic actuators (SEAs), have a wide range of applications in robots. However, when applying them to manipulators, force sensors cannot be mounted due to limited space. Therefore, this paper proposes a new method for compliant control based on a dual encoder, and the existing transmission model was improved by considering the joint torque. To validate the proposed method, experimental setups composed of a motor, a tendonsheath component, a robotic joint, force sensors, and position sensors are established. The transmission processes are interpreted clearly through a position control mode. Parameter identifications without external disturbance force are conducted to acquire the ideal transmission model, and the error value between the experiment data and the fitted curve is measured. The availability of the presented scheme is verified by compliant control experiments, including collision detection and hand guiding, and the frequency characteristics of the actuator are analyzed. The results show that the function can be realized without force and torque sensors during the whole process. INDEX TERMS Tendon-sheath actuators, robotic manipulator, compliant control, position transmission model, parameter identifications, series elastic actuators, transmission characteristic.

The double tendon-sheath drive system is widely used in the design of surgical robots and search and rescue robots because of its simplicity, dexterity, and long-distance transmission. We are attempting to apply it to manipulators, wherenon-linear characteristics such as gaps, hysteresis, etc., due to friction between the contact surfaces of the tendon sheath and the flexibility of the rope, are the main difficulties in controlling such manipulators. Most of the existing compensation control methods applicable to double tendon-sheath actuators are offline compensation methods that do not require output feedback, but when the system’s motion and configuration changes, it cannot adapt to the drastic changes in the transmission characteristics. Depending on the transmission system, the robotic arm, changes at any time during the working process, and the force sensors and torque sensors that cannot be applied to the joints of the robot, so a real-time position compensation control method based on flexible cable deformation is proposed. A double tendon-sheath transmission model is established, a double tendon-sheath torque transmission model under any load condition is derived, and a semi-physical simulation experimental platform composed of a motor, a double tendon-sheath transmission system and a single articulated arm is established to verify the transfer model. Through the signal feedback of the end encoder, a real-time closed-loop feedback system was established, thus that the system can still achieve the output to follow the desired torque trajectory under the external interference.