Output Feedback Image-Based Visual Servoing of Rotorcrafts

© 2018, Springer Nature B.V. This paper presents an improved output feedback based image-based visual servoing (IBVS) law for rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (RUAVs). The control law enables a RUAV with a minimal set of sensors, i.e. an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a single downward facing camera, to regulate its position and heading relative to a planar visual target consisting of multiple points. As compared to our previous work, twofold improvement is made. First, the desired value of the image feature of controlling the vertical motion of the RUAV is a function of other image features instead of a constant. This modification helps to keep the visual target stay in the camera’s field of view by indirectly adjusting the height of the vehicle. Second, the proposed approach simplifies our previous output feedback law by reducing the dimension of the observer filter state space while the same asymptotic stability result is kept. Both simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller

A review of aerial manipulation of small-scale rotorcraft unmanned robotic systems

Small-scale rotorcraft unmanned robotic systems (SRURSs) are a kind of unmanned rotorcraft with manipulating devices. This review aims to provide an overview on aerial manipulation of SRURSs nowadays and promote relative research in the future. In the past decade, aerial manipulation of SRURSs has attracted the interest of researchers globally. This paper provides a literature review of the last 10 years (2008–2017) on SRURSs, and details achievements and challenges. Firstly, the definition, current state, development, classification, and challenges of SRURSs are introduced. Then, related papers are organized into two topical categories: mechanical structure design, and modeling and control. Following this, research groups involved in SRURS research and their major achievements are summarized and classified in the form of tables. The research groups are introduced in detail from seven parts. Finally, trends and challenges are compiled and presented to serve as a resource for researchers interested in aerial manipulation of SRURSs. The problem, trends, and challenges are described from three aspects. Conclusions of the paper are presented, and the future of SRURSs is discussed to enable further research interests

Asymptotic Vision-Based Tracking Control of the Quadrotor Aerial Vehicle

This paper proposes an image-based visual servo (IBVS) controller for the 3D translational motion of the quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The main purpose of this paper is to provide asymptotic stability for vision-based tracking control of the quadrotor in the presence of uncertainty in the dynamic model of the system. The aim of the paper also includes the use of ow of image features as the velocity information to compensate for the unreliable linear velocity data measured by accelerometers. For this purpose, the mathematical model of the quadrotor is presented based on the optic ow of image features which provides the possibility of designing a velocity-free IBVS controller with considering the dynamics of the robot. The image features are de ned from a suitable combination of perspective image moments without using the model of the object. This property allows the application of the proposed controller in unknown places. The controller is robust with respect to the uncertainties in the transla- tional dynamics of the system associated with the target motion, image depth and external disturbances. Simulation results and a comparison study are presented which demonstrate the e ectiveness of the proposed approach

Asymptotic Vision-Based Tracking Control of the Quadrotor Aerial Vehicle

This paper proposes an image-based visual servo (IBVS) controller for the 3D translational motion of the quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The main purpose of this paper is to provide asymptotic stability for vision-based tracking control of the quadrotor in the presence of uncertainty in the dynamic model of the system. The aim of the paper also includes the use of ow of image features as the velocity information to compensate for the unreliable linear velocity data measured by accelerometers. For this purpose, the mathematical model of the quadrotor is presented based on the optic ow of image features which provides the possibility of designing a velocity-free IBVS controller with considering the dynamics of the robot. The image features are de ned from a suitable combination of perspective image moments without using the model of the object. This property allows the application of the proposed controller in unknown places. The controller is robust with respect to the uncertainties in the transla- tional dynamics of the system associated with the target motion, image depth and external disturbances. Simulation results and a comparison study are presented which demonstrate the e ectiveness of the proposed approach

Geometric Tracking Control of a Multi-rotor UAV for Partially Known Trajectories

This paper presents a trajectory-tracking controller for multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in scenarios where only the desired position and heading are known without the higher-order derivatives. The proposed solution modifies the state-of-the-art geometric controller, effectively addressing challenges related to the non-existence of the desired attitude and ensuring positive total thrust input for all time. We tackle the additional challenge of the non-availability of the higher derivatives of the trajectory by introducing novel nonlinear filter structures. We formalize theoretically the effect of these filter structures on the system error dynamics. Subsequently, through a rigorous theoretical analysis, we demonstrate that the proposed controller leads to uniformly ultimately bounded system error dynamics

A survey on fractional order control techniques for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles

In recent years, numerous applications of science and engineering for modeling and control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) systems based on fractional calculus have been realized. The extra fractional order derivative terms allow to optimizing the performance of the systems. The review presented in this paper focuses on the control problems of the UAVs and UGVs that have been addressed by the fractional order techniques over the last decade

Towards an autonomous vision-based unmanned aerial system againstwildlife poachers

Poaching is an illegal activity that remains out of control in many countries. Based on the 2014 report of the United Nations and Interpol, the illegal trade of global wildlife and natural resources amounts to nearly $213 billion every year, which is even helping to fund armed conflicts. Poaching activities around the world are further pushing many animal species on the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, the traditional methods to fight against poachers are not enough, hence the new demands for more efficient approaches. In this context, the use of new technologies on sensors and algorithms, as well as aerial platforms is crucial to face the high increase of poaching activities in the last few years. Our work is focused on the use of vision sensors on UAVs for the detection and tracking of animals and poachers, as well as the use of such sensors to control quadrotors during autonomous vehicle following and autonomous landing.Peer Reviewe

Towards an autonomous vision-based unmanned aerial system against wildlife poachers.

Poaching is an illegal activity that remains out of control in many countries. Based on the 2014 report of the United Nations and Interpol, the illegal trade of global wildlife and natural resources amounts to nearly $ 213 billion every year, which is even helping to fund armed conflicts. Poaching activities around the world are further pushing many animal species on the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, the traditional methods to fight against poachers are not enough, hence the new demands for more efficient approaches. In this context, the use of new technologies on sensors and algorithms, as well as aerial platforms is crucial to face the high increase of poaching activities in the last few years. Our work is focused on the use of vision sensors on UAVs for the detection and tracking of animals and poachers, as well as the use of such sensors to control quadrotors during autonomous vehicle following and autonomous landing