Computationally efficient energy optimization of multiple robots

Paper i proceeding, 2017

This paper presents convex modeling techniques for the problem of optimal velocity control of multiple robots on given intersecting paths. The optimal control problem is formulated as a nonlinear program, which generates predictive state and control trajectories that avoid collisions among the robots and minimize a certain performance index, such as operation time, energy dissipation and actuator usage. Advantages and disadvantages of two modeling approaches are discussed, involving a variable change with square of velocity, or alternatively inverse of velocity. The performance of the two approaches is evaluated in a case study with an industrial robot.