Lecture 23 Dimitar Stefanov

Wheelchair kinematics Recapping Rolling wheels Instantaneous Centre of Curvature (ICC) motion must be consistent Nonholonomic constraint

Position Estimation (x n, y n ) (x n+1, y n+1 ) Basic position estimation equations are: where: D = vehicle displacement along path; Θ = vehicle orientation (heading).

Ackerman Steering The inside front wheel is rotated slightly sharper than the outside wheel (reduces tire slippage). Ackerman steering provides a fairly accurate dead-reckoning solution while supporting traction and ground clearance. Generally the method of choice for outdoor autonomous vehicles.

Ackerman Steering (cont.1) ΘiΘi ΘoΘo Ackerman equation: where: Θ i = relative steering angle of inner wheel; Θ o = relative steering angle of outer wheel; l = longitudinal wheel separation; d = lateral wheel separation.

Ackerman Steering (cont.2) ΘoΘo ΘiΘi Θ SA Θ SA = vehicle steering angle.

Three or more wheels are mechanically coupled. All wheels have one and the same orientation and rotate in the same direction at the same speed. Improved dead reckoning. Synchro drives use belt, chain or gear drives. Problems in steering accuracy with wear/tear Synchro Drive

Dead reckoning for synchro-drive:

The MECANUM wheel (concept)

Tricycle If a steerable drive wheel and encoder is used, then we can use the Ackerman steering model. Otherwise use we the differential odometry mode

Tricycle Problems When going uphill the center of gravity of the wheelchair tends to move away from driven wheel. Causing loss of traction. As Ackerman-steered design causes surface damage.

Omni-Directional Drives Minimum is a 3 wheel configuration. Each individual motor are driven independently, using velocity control.

Omni-Directional Drives, continue Let’s note the velocity of the wheelchair platform in x and y direction with V x and V y respectively.

Beacon-based Localization Trilateration – Determine wheelchair position from distance measurements to 3 or more known beacons. Triangulation – Determine wheelchair position for angular measurements to 3 or more known beacons.

Triangulation Solution to constraint equations relating the pose of an observer to the positions of a set of landmarks. Usually, the problem is considered in the 2D case.

Triangulation Passive Active Active triangulation (AT): -A controlled light source (such as a laser) is positioned at point P 1. -A imaging detector is placed at P 2. -The distance A is preliminary known. -The image detector measures the angle position of the reflected-light beam. AT requires one camera or one position sensitive detector; AT does not depend on the ambient lighting of the object.

Active triangulation Photo detector – one- or two-dimensional array detector such as a CCD camera or photosensitive line. Calibration – signals are measured on two preliminary known distances between the sensors and the object.

Active rangefinder chip – an example TRC Beacon navigation System

Light guidance system, Dohi Lab, Japan