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In this paper we present a state estimation method based on an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a planar laser range finder suitable for use in real-time on a fixed-wing micro air vehicle (MAV). The algorithm is capable of maintaing accurate state estimates during aggressive flight in unstructured 3D environments without the use of an external positioning system. Our localization algorithm is based...
In this paper, we propose a stochastic differential equation-based exploration algorithm to enable exploration in three-dimensional indoor environments with a payload constrained micro-aerial vehicle (MAV). We are able to address computation, memory, and sensor limitations by considering only the known occupied space in the current map. We determine regions for further exploration based on the evolution...
A method for distributed parameter estimation of a previously unknown wind field is described. The application is dynamic soaring for small unmanned air vehicles, which severely constrains available computing while simultaneously requiring updates that are fast compared with a typical dynamic soaring cycle. A polynomial parameterization of the wind field is used, allowing implementation of a linear...
We address formation control for a team of quadrotors in which the robots follow a specified group trajectory while safely changing the shape of the formation according to specifications. The formation is prescribed by shape vectors which dictate the relative separations and bearings between the robots, while the group trajectory is specified as the desired trajectory of a leader or a virtual robot...
In this paper, we present a versatile framework to enable autonomous flights of a Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) which has only slow, noisy, delayed and possibly arbitrarily scaled measurements available. Using such measurements directly for position control would be practically impossible as MAVs exhibit great agility in motion. In addition, these measurements often come from a selection of different...
Recently, autonomous miniature airships have become a growing research field. Whereas airships are attractive as they can move freely in the three-dimensional space, their high-dimensional state space and the restriction to small and lightweight sensors are demanding constraints with respect to self-localization. Furthermore, their complex second-order kinematics makes the estimation of their pose...
This paper presents a feedback controller that allows MABEL, a kneed, planar bipedal robot, with 1 m-long legs, to accommodate an abrupt 20 cm decrease in ground height. The robot is provided information on neither where the step down occurs, nor by how much. After the robot has stepped off a raised platform, however, the height of the platform can be estimated from the lengths of the legs and the...
This paper presents a control design based on the method of virtual constraints and hybrid zero dynamics to achieve stable running on MABEL, a planar biped with compliance. In particular, a time-invariant feedback controller is designed such that the closed-loop system not only respects the natural compliance of the open-loop system, but also enables active force control within the compliant hybrid...
This paper deals with the walking control of biped robots inspired by biological concept of central pattern generator (CPG). A control architecture is proposed with a trajectory generator and a motion engine. The trajectory generator consists of a CoG (center of gravity) trajectory generator and a foot trajectory modulator. The CoG generator generates adaptive CoG trajectories online and the foot...
We investigate the local motion of a planar rigid body with unilateral constraints in the neighborhood of a two-contact frictional equilibrium configuration on a slope. A new sufficient condition of Lyapunov stability is developed in the presence of arbitrary external forces. Additionally, we construct an example, which is stable against perturbations by infinitesimal forces, but does not possess...
Although the fall of a humanoid robot is rare in controlled environments, it cannot be avoided in the real world where the robot may physically interact with the environment. Our earlier work [1], [2] introduced the strategy of direction-changing fall, in which the robot attempts to reduce the chance of human injury by changing its default fall direction in real-time and falling in a safer direction...
We propose a control framework for dynamic bipedal locomotion with compliant joints. A novel 3D dynamic walking is achieved by utilizing natural dynamics of the system. It is done by 1) driving robot joints directly with the posture-based state machine and 2) controlling tendon-driven compliant actuators. To enlarge gait's basin attraction for stable walking, we also adaptively plan step-to-step motion...
Reinforcement Learning (RL) is a paradigm for learning decision-making tasks that could enable robots to learn and adapt to their situation on-line. For an RL algorithm to be practical for robotic control tasks, it must learn in very few samples, while continually taking actions in real-time. Existing model-based RL methods learn in relatively few samples, but typically take too much time between...
A new method for self-supervised sensorimotor learning of sound source localization is presented, that allows a simulated listener to learn online an auditorimotor map from the sensorimotor experience provided by an auditory evoked behavior. The map represents the auditory space and is used to estimate the azimuthal direction of sound sources. The learning mainly consists in non-linear dimensionality...
This work presents a model predictive path-following controller, which incorporates adaptive slip estimation for a tracked vehicle. Tracked vehicles are capable of manoeuvring in highly variable and uneven terrain, but difficulties in their control have traditionally limited their use as autonomous platforms. Attempts to compensate for slip in environments typically require that both the forward and...
In this paper, a deterministic yaw moment controller for four wheel independent steering and drive vehicles is proposed to enhance driving stability and controllability. Different to conventional methods that track a desired yaw rate, the proposed controller stabilizes a vehicle by additionally tracking the heading angle of a vehicle which is more efficient and robust. The heading angle of a vehicle...
This paper deals with state feedback control of chained systems based on a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) strategy. Chained systems can model many common nonholonomic vehicles. We establish a relation between the degree of nonholonomy and the minimum length of the control horizon so as to make the NMPC feasible. A necessary condition on the control horizon of NMPC is given and theoretically...
In this paper, we present an approach to bounded optimal planning and flexible execution for a robot team performing a set of spatially distributed tasks related by temporal ordering constraints such as precedence or synchronization. Furthermore, the manner in which the temporal constraints are satisfied impacts the overall utility of the team, due to the existence of both routing and delay costs...
The underactuated system under consideration is a magnetically-suspended, differential drive robot utilizing a winch system to articulate a suspended mass. A dynamic model of the system is first constructed, and then a nonlinear, infinite-dimensional optimization algorithm is presented. The system model uses the principles of kinematic reduction to produce a mixed kinematic-dynamic model that isolates...
The ballbot with arms is an underactuated balancing mobile robot that moves on a single ball. Achieving desired motions in position space is a challenging task for such systems due to their unstable zero dynamics. This paper presents a novel approach that uses the dynamic constraint equations to plan shape trajectories, which when tracked will result in optimal tracking of desired position trajectories...
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