Control of Platoons of Nonholonomic Vehicles Using Redundant Manipulator Analogs

Abstract

In this work, we consider the control of platoons of cooperating nonholonomic vehicles. Using techniques based on redundant manipulator control, the platoon is treated as a single entity with a set of platoon-level objectives. The class of tricyclelike robots, with limits on steering and speed, is chosen because it represents a vast class of real, nonholonomic vehicles beyond the basic differential drive. The method presented uses platoon redundancy to limit the impact of vehicle constraints on the platoon-level objectives. A simulation study is presented to show the efficacy of the method.