Energy-Aware Task Allocation for Teams of Multi-mode Robots

This work proposes a novel multi-robot task allocation framework for robots that can switch between multiple modes, e.g., flying, driving, or walking. We first provide a method to encode the multi-mode property of robots as a graph, where the mode of each robot is represented by a node. Next, we formulate a constrained optimization problem to decide both the task to be allocated to each robot as well as the mode in which the latter should execute the task. The robot modes are optimized based on the state of the robot and the environment, as well as the energy required to execute the allocated task. Moreover, the proposed framework is able to encompass kinematic and dynamic models of robots alike. Furthermore, we provide sufficient conditions for the convergence of task execution and allocation for both robot models.

Design and Control of a VTOL Aerial Vehicle Tilting its Rotors Only with Rotor Thrusts and a Passive Joint

This paper presents a novel VTOL UAV that owns a link connecting four rotors and a fuselage by a passive joint, allowing the control of the rotor's tilting angle by adjusting the rotors' thrust. This unique structure contributes to eliminating additional actuators, such as servo motors, to control the tilting angles of rotors, resulting in the UAV's weight lighter and simpler structure. We first derive the dynamical model of the newly designed UAV and analyze its controllability. Then, we design the controller that leverages the tiltable link with four rotors to accelerate the UAV while suppressing a deviation of the UAV's angle of attack from the desired value to restrain the change of the aerodynamic force. Finally, the validity of the proposed control strategy is evaluated in simulation study.

Collision Avoidance for Ellipsoidal Rigid Bodies with Control Barrier Functions Designed from Rotating Supporting Hyperplanes

This paper proposes a collision avoidance method for ellipsoidal rigid bodies, which utilizes a control barrier function (CBF) designed from a supporting hyperplane. We formulate the problem in the Special Euclidean Group SE(2) and SE(3), where the dynamics are described as rigid body motion (RBM). Then, we consider the condition for separating two ellipsoidal rigid bodies by employing a signed distance from a supporting hyperplane of a rigid body to the other rigid body. Although the positive value of this signed distance implies that two rigid bodies are collision-free, a naively prepared supporting hyperplane yields a smaller value than the actual distance. To avoid such a conservative evaluation, the supporting hyperplane is rotated so that the signed distance from the supporting hyperplane to the other rigid body is maximized. We prove that the maximum value of this optimization problem is equal to the actual distance between two ellipsoidal rigid bodies, hence eliminating excessive conservativeness. We leverage this signed distance as a CBF to prevent collision while the supporting hyperplane is rotated via a gradient-based input. The designed CBF is integrated into a quadratic programming (QP) problem, where each rigid body calculates its collision-free input in a distributed manner, given communication among rigid bodies. The proposed method is demonstrated with simulations. Finally, we exemplify our method can be extended to a vehicle having nonholonomic dynamics.