Manipulation

Quasi-Static Manipulation

Quasi-static manipulation is manipulation performed slowly enough that inertial forces are negligible, so the system passes through a sequence of force-balanced equilibrium states. The assumption reduces the physics to a balance of contact, gravity, and applied forces, making analysis and planning of tasks like pushing, grasping, and part reorientation far more tractable. It contrasts with dynamic manipulation such as throwing or catching.

Why it matters for physical AI

Most practical manipulation runs in the quasi-static regime, and the assumption underlies many grasp analyses, contact planners, and stability checks used in deployed systems.

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