Application of transverse functions to control differentially driven wheeled robots using velocity fields

This paper deals with control of a nonholonomic unicycle-like robot in a cluttered environment with static obstacles. The proposed solution is based on a combination of a universal motion controller taking advantage of transverse functions with a navigation velocity field determining a path in a free task space. The motion controller is used to imitate an omnidirectional planar kinematics such that nonholonomic constraints become hidden for a navigation layer. Then it is possible to generate vector fields which govern motion of the omnidirectional frame. The controller using the transverse function is discussed in depth. In particular, a possible parametrization of this function is considered and analysis of an augmented dynamics is provided for different motion patterns. Next, construction of obstacles and potential design for star-like shapes are presented. The navigation algorithm is verified experimentally and the results are discussed.