The control problem for a truly cooperative manipulator system cannot be re
garded as a simple extension of single manipulator control since additional
complexity arises from the need for ensuring coordinated motion of the sys
tem. Recently, we have proposed a control strategy based on two stages, nam
ely, kinematic inversion of a set of cooperative task variables and a joint
space control law with kinetostatic filtering of cooperative task space er
rors; this strategy avoids some of the drawbacks of other approaches. In th
is paper, the stability analysis for the joint space control law is provide
d and asymptotic stability of a set of equilibrium points is demonstrated.
The case of imperfect compensation of the gravity terms has been analyzed.
The addition of a force loop to achieve internal force regulation is also d
iscussed.