A method for limiting joint velocity of a plurality of joints of a surgical robotic system, the surgical robotic system comprising a robot having a base and an arm extending from the base to an attachment for an instrument, the arm comprising a plurality of joints whereby the configuration of the arm can be altered, the method comprising: obtaining joint states for a first group of k joints of the arm, where k>1; for each of the k joints: determining from the obtained joint state a permitted range of motion for that joint; deriving, using the permitted range of motion, a joint velocity limit for that joint; selecting the minimum joint velocity limit of the k joints to be a common joint velocity limit used to limit each of the k joints individually; and calculating drive signals for driving the k joints wherein the velocity of each of the k joints is limited using the common joint velocity limit.

A method for limiting joint velocity of a plurality of joints of a surgical robotic system, the surgical robotic system comprising a robot having a base and an arm extending from the base to an attachment for an instrument, the arm comprising a plurality of joints whereby the configuration of the arm can be altered, the method comprising: obtaining joint states for a first group of k joints of the arm, where k>1; for each of the k joints: determining from the obtained joint state a permitted range of motion for that joint; deriving, using the permitted range of motion, a joint velocity limit for that joint; selecting the minimum joint velocity limit of the k joints to be a common joint velocity limit used to limit each of the k joints individually; and calculating drive signals for driving the k joints wherein the velocity of each of the k joints is limited using the common joint velocity limit.

Devices, systems, and methods for controlling manipulator movements include a manipulator arm coupled to a proximal base. The manipulator arm is configured to support an end effector and robotically move the end effector relative to the proximal base. The manipulator arm includes a plurality of joints between the end effector and the proximal base and a processor. The processor is configured to calculate joint movements of the plurality of joints that provide a desired position of the end effector using inverse kinematics of the manipulator arm and when a first set of one or more joints of the plurality of joints is at corresponding joint range of motion limits: determine a constraint based on a relationship between joint movement of the first set and a second set of one or more joints of the plurality of joints and apply the constraint within the inverse kinematics to provide haptic feedback.

The invention relates to a method for determining at least one property of a joint, such as a joint (112, 114, 116-119, 180) of a manipulator (110), wherein said joint is configured to be driven by at least one actuator, the actuator being configured to drive said joint (112, 114, 116-119, 180) via a drivetrain. The method comprises: clamping (200) said joint such that motion of the joint becomes constrained, and actuating (210) said drivetrain while monitoring at least one quantity associated with a torque of said actuator and at least one quantity associated with the actuator position in order to determine (220) at least one output value of said actuator, said output value corresponding to at least one joint position and determining (230) the at least one property of the joint based on said at least one output value. The invention further relates to a system for determining the at least one property of a joint.