Waypoints guidance of differential-drive mobile robots with kinematic and precision constraints

Abstract

SUMMARYThis paper proposes a new kinematic controller for the waypoints guidance of robotic mobile platforms. A notable feature of the controller is its ability to process the raw sequence of waypoints to produce smooth reference velocities from control laws that are derived by taking into account adriving profileincluding the velocity limits, the acceleration limits, the motion modes through each waypoint (forward or backward) and the precision constraints that are required to ensure accurate waypoints traversal. A mathematical analysis demonstrates the convergence of the movements through the waypoints sequence. In addition, we present a simple way to adapt the driving profile in order that the platform reaches the last waypoint at a prescribed time. A feed-forward unit is finally described, that compensates for delays and first-order poles in the velocity response of the platform. Various simulations and experiments on real robotic platforms demonstrate the behavior and the effectiveness of the solution.