Formation control of multirobot based on I/O feedback linearization and potential function

Abstract

Standard techniques of I/O linearization are widely applied to leader-follower approach for multirobot formation control. However general leader-follower approach cannot adapt to the environment with obstacles. Concerning that issue, a formation control method of multirobot system based on potential function is proposed in this paper, and a new control law is designed by choosing a proper potential function and employing Lyapunov stability theory, which stabilizes the formation of the multirobot system. We combine the method with a leader-follower approach to solve the problem that the latter cannot avoid obstacles. Simulation results are given to validate the method. © 2014 Jie Dong et al.