Adaptive tracking control of wheeled mobile robots with unknown longitudinal and lateral slipping parameters

An adaptive control approach is proposed for trajectory tracking of wheeled mobile robot (WMR) with unknown longitudinal and lateral slipping. A kinematic model of tracked WMR is established in this paper, in which both longitudinal and lateral slipping are considered and processed as three time-varying parameters. Sliding mode observer is then introduced to real time estimate the slip parameters online. A stable tracking control law for this robot system is proposed by backstepping method, and the asymptotic stability is guaranteed by Lyapunov theory. Meanwhile, the controller gains are determined online by poles placement method. Simulation results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.     

A random-profile approach for trajectory planning of wheeled mobile robots

We present a random-profile approach to treat the optimal free-trajectory planning problem for nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots subjected to move in a constrained workspace. This versatile method is based on a simultaneous search for the robot path and for the time evolution on this path. It handles obstacle avoidance issues while considering kinodynamic constraints (bounded velocities, accelerations and torques). It may be applied to treat problems with various forms of optimization criteria involving travel time, efforts and power. Numerical results, obtained via the simulated-annealing technique of optimization, are presented for two- and three-wheel mobile robots and are compared to those available in the literature.     

Output-feedback control for singular Markovian jump systems with input saturation

This paper considers the problem of dynamic output-feedback stabilization for singular Markovian jump systems with input saturation. The stabilization and set invariance conditions are first formulated in terms of non-convex matrix inequalities which is not linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). This paper, however, successfully derives the necessary and sufficient conditions for the non-convex inequalities in terms of LMIs. Also, an optimization problem is formulated to find the largest contractively invariant set in mean square sense of the closed-loop systems. Two numerical examples show the validity of the derived results.     

Orientation-error observer-based tracking control of nonholonomic mobile robots

In this paper, a novel trajectory tracking controller is proposed for mobile robots with unknown orientation angle by employing the orientation-error observer (OEO). In order to overcome the local stability resulted from linearization design methods, an asymptotically stable controller is designed using Lyapunov’s direct method. This method breaks down nonlinear systems into low-dimensional systems and simplifies the controller design using virtual auxiliary error function and partial Lyapunov functions. A state-feedback controller for the nonlinear error dynamics of the mobile robot is combined with an observer that estimates the orientation-error based on available trajectory information and measurement of the position coordinates. The stability of the system is easily proved via the Lyapunov theory. Abundant simulation and experiment results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control method.     

A low-complexity tracker design for uncertain nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots with time-varying input delay at nonlinear dynamic level

A low-complexity design problem of tracking scheme for uncertain nonholonomic mobile robots is investigated in the presence of unknown time-varying input delay. It is assumed that nonlinearities and parameters of robots and their bounds are unknown. Based on a nonlinear error transformation, a tracking control scheme ensuring preassigned bounds of overshoot, convergence rate, and steady-state values of a tracking error is firstly presented in the absence of input delay, without using any adaptive and function approximation mechanism to estimate unknown nonlinearities and model parameters and computing repeated time derivatives of certain signals. Then, we develop a low-complexity tracking scheme to deal with unknown time-varying input delay of mobile robots where some auxiliary signals and design conditions are derived for the design and stability analysis of the proposed tracking scheme. The boundedness of all signals in the closed-loop system and the guarantee of tracking performance with preassigned bounds are established through Lyapunov stability analysis. The validity of the proposed theoretical result is shown by a simulation example.     

Linear normal stress under a wheel in skid for wheeled mobile robots running on sandy terrain

Wheeled mobile robots are often used on high risk rough terrain. Sandy terrains are widely distributed and tough to traverse. To successfully deploy a robot in sandy environment, wheel-terrain interaction mechanics in skid should be considered. The normal and shear stress is the basis of wheel-soil interaction modeling, but the normal stress in the rear region on the contact surface is computed through symmetry in classical terramechanics equations. To calculate that directly, a new reference of wheel sinkage is proposed. Based on the new reference, both the wheel sinakge and the normal stress can be given using a quadratic equation as the function of wheel-soil contact angle. Moreover, the normal stress can be expressed as a linear function of the wheel sinkage by introducing a constant coefficient named as sand stiffness in this paper. The linearity is demonstrated by the experimental data obtained using two wheels and on two types of sands. The sand stiffness can be estimated with high accuracy and it decreases with the increase of skid ratio due to the skid-sinkage phenomenon, but increases with the increase of vertical load. Furthermore, the sand stiffness can be utilized directly to compare the stiffness of various sandy terrains.     

Estimation of net traction for differential-steered wheeled robots

We present a method for estimating the net traction and resistive wheel torques for a suspensionless, differential-steered robot on rigid or deformable terrain. The method, based on extended Kalman-Bucy filtering (EKBF), determines time histories of net traction and resistive wheel torques and wheel slips during steady or transient maneuvers. This method assumes good knowledge of the vehicle dynamics and treats the unknown forces and moments due to terrain response as random variables to be estimated. A proprioceptive sensor suite renders a subset of the unknown forces and associated wheel slip and slip angles observable. This methodology decouples semi-empirical terramechanics models from the net effect of the vehicle-terrain interaction, namely the net traction developed by the vehicle on the terrain. By collecting sensor data and processing data off-line, force-slip characteristics are identified irrespective of the underlying terramechanics. These characteristics can in turn support development or validation of terramechanics models for the vehicle-terrain system. For autonomous robots, real-time estimates of force-slip characteristics can provide setpoints for traction and steering control, increasing vehicle performance, speed, and maneuverability. Finally, force-slip estimation is the first step in identifying terrain parameters during normal maneuvering. The methodology is demonstrated through both simulation and physical testing using a 13-kg robot.     

An adaptive critic neural network for motion control of a wheeled mobile robot

In this paper, we propose a new application of the adaptive critic methodology for the feedback control of wheeled mobile robots, based on a critic signal provided by a neural network (NN). The adaptive critic architecture uses a high-level supervisory NN adaptive critic element (ACE), to generate the reinforcement signal to optimise the associative search element (ASE), which is applied to approximate the non-linear functions of the mobile robot. The proposed tracking controller is derived from Lyapunov stability theory and can guarantee tracking performance and stability. A series of computer simulations have been used to emulate the performance of the proposed solution for a wheeled mobile robot.     

Precise motion control of tractor-trailer wheeled mobile structures via a newly observed key motion law

Nonlinear Dynamics - We present a curvature tracking approach for a tractor-trailer wheeled mobile structure (TTWMS), such that the trailer can track a desired trajectory curve accurately. A key...     

Control of manipulators and wheeled transport robots as systems of rigid bodies

Problems of control of robots (manipulators and wheeled transport robots) that are considered as controllable systems of rigid bodies with holonomic and nonholonomic constraints are reviewed. The basic problems that arise in designing systems of control of such facilities are considered. Namely, the equations of model motion are derived, a specified trajectory is parametrized, and a stabilization algorithm is synthesized (including linear, nonlinear, adaptive, and robust controllers). Some model examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the algorithms considered. S.P. Timoshenko Institute of Mechanics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 35–67, April, 2000.     

BLS-based formation control for nonlinear multi-agent systems with actuator fault and input saturation

This paper studies the formation control of a nonlinear multi-agent system based on a broad learning system under actuator fault and input saturation. Firstly, the multi-agent tracking error is proposed based on graph theory. Besides, fault tolerance should be considered when actuator fault exists. Meanwhile, the broad learning system is put forward to approximate the unknown nonlinear function in the multi-agent system. Then, an input saturation auxiliary system is introduced to reduce the adverse effects of input saturation constraints. At the same time, the disturbance observer technology is used to estimate the actuator failure as a lumped uncertainty. At last, dynamic surface control is introduced to realize formation control with actuator fault and input saturation. Obviously, it is difficult to design a controller with unknown nonlinear function, input saturation, and actuator fault existing in the multi-agent system. The Lyapunov method can prove the stability of the formation control. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the controller.

     

Bifurcation analysis of attitude control systems with switching-constrained actuators

On-off thrusters are frequently used as actuators for attitude control and are typically subject to switching constraints. In systems with switching actuators, different types of persistent motions may be found, and in the presence of model uncertainties, the occurrence of bifurcations in such systems can seriously affect performance. In this paper the nature of persistent motions in an attitude control system with actuators subject to switching-time restrictions is examined to provide useful information for control design in the presence of uncertainty. The main tools used are bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps and Lyapunov spectrum. Border-collision type bifurcations are characterized in this piecewise affine system, as well as unusual patterns of persistent motion. Multistability and complex-switching sequences are also observed, revealing the existence of motions with sensitive dependence on initial conditions.     

Active control of lifted diffusion flames with arrayed micro actuators

Active control of a lifted flame issued from a coaxial nozzle is investigated. Arrayed micro flap actuators are employed to introduce disturbances locally into the initial shear layer. Shedding of large-scale vortex rings is modified with the flap motion, and the flame characteristics such as liftoff height, blowoff limit, and emission trend, are successfully manipulated. Spatio-temporal evolution of large-scale vortical structures and fuel concentration is examined with the aid of PIV and PLIF in order to elucidate the control mechanisms. It is found that, depending on the driving signal of the flaps, the near-field vortical structures are significantly modified and two types of lifted flames having different stabilization mechanisms are realized.     

Point-to-point trajectory planning of wheeled mobile manipulators with stability constraint. Extension of the random-profile approach

We propose a flexible stochastic scheme for point-to-point trajectory planning of nonholonomic wheeled mobile manipulators subjected to move in a structured workspace. The problem is known to be complex, particularly if obstacles are present and if dynamic stability constraint is considered. The proposed method consists of extending to wheeled mobile manipulators the random-profile approach recently applied to wheeled platforms. This versatile method handles constraints on: (i) geometry (obstacle avoidance, bounded joint positions and path curvature); (ii) kinematics (bounded velocities and accelerations); (iii) dynamics (bounded torques, stability condition). It may be applied using various forms of cost functions involving travel time, efforts and power. Solutions are presented for planar and spatial nonholonomic wheeled mobile manipulators undertaking, in a constrained workspace, a point-to-point task defined either in generalized or operational coordinates.     

Solving time-varying inverse kinematics problem of wheeled mobile manipulators using Zhang neural network with exponential convergence

A mobile manipulator is a robotic device composed of a mobile platform and a stationary manipulator fixed to the platform. The forward kinematics problem for such mobile manipulators has a mathematical analytic solution; however, the inverse kinematics problem is mathematically intractable (especially for satisfying real-time requirements). To obtain the accurate solution of the time-varying inverse kinematics for mobile manipulators, a special class of recurrent neural network, named Zhang neural network (ZNN), is exploited and investigated in this article. It is theoretically proven that such a ZNN model globally and exponentially converges to the solution of the time-varying inverse kinematics for mobile manipulators. In addition, the kinematics equations of the mobile platform and the manipulator are integrated into one system, and thus the resultant solution can co-ordinate simultaneously the wheels and the manipulator to fulfill the end-effector task. For comparison purposes, a gradient neural network (GNN) is developed for solving time-varying inverse kinematics problem of wheeled mobile manipulators. Finally, we conduct extensive tracking-path simulations performed on a wheeled mobile manipulator using such a ZNN model. The results substantiate the efficacy and high accuracy of the ZNN model for solving time-varying inverse kinematics problem of mobile manipulators. Besides, by comparing the simulation results of the GNN and ZNN models, the superiority of the ZNN model is demonstrated clearly.     

Study of the anisotropy of sliding stops of mobile robots

The interaction of mini-robot contact elements with the surface is studied. The values of basic parameters necessary for successful operation of such elements are estimated. A procedure for calculating the value of anisotropic friction typical to adhesive material with haired structure is proposed. The results of this paper can be used to design robots intended for motion in bounded spaces, in particular, in narrow tubes.