An identical path tracking control strategy of the tractor-trailer wheeled mobile robot with an off-axle hitching based on a passive steering angle

Abstract

For a tractor-trailer wheeled mobile robot (TTWMR, for short) with an off-axle hitching, it is challenging for both tractor and trailer to track a desired path due to the insufficient steering capability of the trailer. As such, a passive steering angle is first introduced, which allows the trailer to follow the same path as the leading tractor. In this way, a given motion task can be reduced to the accurate path tracing problem for the tractor. By considering such a passive steering angle, the motion speed relation between two vehicles of the TTWMR with an off-axle hitching is then derived, based on which its kinematics and dynamics equations are established. Thereafter, a proportion integration feedback controller is then developed by combining the curvature tracing method and the directed Lyapunov method, so that both vehicles can move along an identical path. Finally, simulation results indicate the effectiveness and robustness of the resulting control strategy.