Nonlinear Model Predictive Visual Path Following Control to Autonomous Mobile Robots

This paper proposes a novel approach to the visual path following problem based on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control. Simplified visual features are extracted from the path to be followed. Then, aiming to calculate the control actions directly from the image plane, a regulatory model is obtained in the optimal control problem scope. For this purpose a Serret-Frenet system is placed in the center of camera’s field of view and the optimal control actions generate velocity references to an inner loop embedded in the robot. Stability issues are handled through a classical method and a new approach based on constraints relaxation is proposed in order to guarantee feasibility. Experimental results with a nonholonomic platform illustrate the performance of the proposed control scheme.