In this paper a small time local controllability, naturally defined in a configuration space, is transferred into a task-space. It was given its analytical characterization and practical implications. A special attention was put on singular configurations. Theoretical considerations were illustrated with two calculation examples. An extensive comparison of the proposed construction with the controllability defined in an endogenous configuration space approach was presented pointing out to their advantages and disadvantages.

In this paper three algorithms of motion planning for two-input, one-chained nonholonomic systems are presented. The classical Murray-Sastry algorithm is compared with two original algorithms aimed at optimizing energy of controls. Based on the generalized Campbell- Baker-Hausdorff-Dynkin formula applied to the systems, some observations are made concerning the optimal relationship between amplitudes and phases of harmonic controls. The observations help to optimize a selection of controls and to design new algorithms for planning a sub- optimal trajectory between given boundary configurations. It was also shown that for those particular systems the generalized C-B-H-D formula is valid not only locally (as in a typical case) but also globally. Simulations performed on the five-dimensional chain system facilitate distinguishing the proposed algorithms from the Murray-Sastry algorithm and to illustrate their features. Systems in a chained form are important from a practical point of view as they are canonical for a class of systems transformable into this form. The most prominent among them are mobile robots with or without trailers.

Main topic of the paper is a problem of designing the input-output decoupling controllers for nonholonomic mobile manipulators. We propose a selection of output functions in much more general form than in [1,2]. Regularity conditions guaranteeing the existence of the input-output decoupling control law are presented. Theoretical considerations are illustrated with simulations for mobile manipulator consisting of RTR robotic arm mounted atop of a unicycle which moves in 3D-space.

In the presented paper, a problem of nonholonomic constrained mechanical systems is treated. New methods in nonholonomic mechanics are applied to a problem of a Forklift-truck robot motion. This method of the geometrical theory of general nonholonomic constrained systems on fibered manifolds and their jet prolongations, based on so-called Chetaev-type constraint forces. The relevance of this theory for general types of nonholonomic constraints, not only linear or affine ones, was then verified on appropriate models. On the other hand, the equations of motion of a Forklift-truck robot are highly nonlinear and rolling without slipping condition can only be expressed by nonholonomic constraint equations. In this paper, the geometrical theory is applied to the above mentioned mechanical problem. The results of numerical solutions of constrained equations of motion, derived within the theory, are presented.

The motion planning problem consists in finding a control function which drives the system to a desired point. The motion planning algorithm derived with an endogenous configuration space approach assumes that the motion takes place in an arbitrary chosen time horizon. This work introduces a modification to the motion planning algorithm which allows to reach the destination point in time, which is shorter than the assumed time horizon. The algorithm derivation relies on the endogenous configuration space approach and the continuation (homotopy) method. To achieve the earlier destination reaching a new formulation of the task map and the task Jacobian are introduced. The efficiency of the new algorithm is depicted with simulation results.

This paper presents control method for multiple two-wheeled mobile robots moving in formation. Trajectory tracking algorithm from [7] is extended by collision avoidance, and is applied to the different type of formation task: each robot in the formation mimics motion of the virtual leader with a certain displacement. Each robot avoids collisions with other robots and circular shaped, static obstacles existing in the environment. Artificial potential functions are used to generate repulsive component of the control. Stability analysis of the closed-loop system is based on Lyapunov-like function. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by simulation results.

This paper presents a control concept for a single-axle mobile robot moving on the horizontal plane. A mathematical model of the nonholonomic mechanical system is derived using Hamel’s equations of motion. Subsequently, a concept for a tracking controller is described in detail. This controller keeps the mobile robot on a given reference trajectory while maintaining it in an upright position. The control objective is reached by a cascade control structure. By an appropriate input transformation, we are able to utilize an input-output linearization of a subsystem. For the remaining dynamics a linear set-point control law is presented. Finally, the performance of the implemented control law is illustrated by simulation results.