Sharp Curve Trajectory Tracking of a Universal Omni-Wheeled Mobile Robot Using a Sliding Mode Controller

Abstract In our previous works, Amarasiri et al. (2022, “Robust Dynamic Modeling and Trajectory Tracking Controller of a Universal Omni-Wheeled Mobile Robot,” ASME Lett. Dyn. Sys. Control 2(4), p. 040902) and Amarasiri et al. (2024, “Investigating Suitable Combinations of Dynamic Models and Control Techniques for Offline Reinforcement Learning Based Navigation: Application of Universal Omni-Wheeled Robots,” ASME Lett. Dyn. Sys. Control 4(2), p. 021007), two dynamic models of a universal omni-wheeled mobile robot (UOWMR), and trajectory-tracking controllers (three linear and one nonlinear) were developed and presented. The purpose of that work was to identify suitable combinations of dynamic models and trajectory-tracking controllers, choosing the combination with the highest tracking accuracy and the lowest solver execution time. The ultimate purpose is to utilize these physics-based tools in a reinforcement learning (RL) agent developed for path planning and navigation in an unstructured environment. Three trajectories were investigated including a smooth path, a sharp curved path, and a smooth path with disturbance forces. The sliding mode controller (SMC) following a trajectory with sharp (right-angled) curves was not investigated in that work. The sharp corners caused indeterminacy in the path derivatives required for the SMC algorithm. In this short article, we complete our studies of the SMC on sharp corner paths utilizing slight trajectory corner smoothing.