A Decade of Inverse Kinematics Methods for Serial Manipulators: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Serial robotic manipulators find applications across diverse sectors such as industries, military, medical, space exploration, and underwater operations, where precision, efficiency, and safety are paramount. However, achieving effective control performance necessitates the effective resolution of the inverse kinematics (IK) problem inherent to manipulators. This challenge involves determining the requisite joint configurations to attain a desired endpoint position and orientation within the manipulator's workspace. The complexity arises due to the nonlinear equations and geometric relationships between cartesian space and joint space. Although various methods have been employed to address the IK problem in serial manipulators, there is a noticeable scarcity of publications comprehensively reviewing these techniques. Therefore, this paper undertakes an extensive review, thoroughly examining diverse IK methods applied in serial manipulators. This investigation of IK compiles literature spanning the last decade (2014–2023). Articles were collected from several web‐based repositories such as WoS, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, and a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) protocol was adopted to acquire appropriate literature. The protocol involves examining the literature methodologies, major findings, and qualitative analysis. Thus, nearly 321 articles were screened and utilized in this review. Further, the IK methods are segregated into model‐driven methods (analytical, geometric, algebraic, numerical, and other model‐driven methods) and model‐free/data‐driven methods (metaheuristic (particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithm, and other metaheuristic methods), machine learning (artificial neural network, neuro‐fuzzy, and reinforcement learning), and other data‐driven methods). This paper offers a detailed exploration of limitations, challenges, performance comparisons, and future research directions of IK techniques. By conducting this study, we aim to assist prospective stakeholders in expanding their understanding of the remarkable potential of IK methods for serial manipulators.