82 research outputs found
A Decentralized Control Framework for Energy-Optimal Goal Assignment and Trajectory Generation
This paper proposes a decentralized approach for solving the problem of
moving a swarm of agents into a desired formation. We propose a decentralized
assignment algorithm which prescribes goals to each agent using only local
information. The assignment results are then used to generate energy-optimal
trajectories for each agent which have guaranteed collision avoidance through
safety constraints. We present the conditions for optimality and discuss the
robustness of the solution. The efficacy of the proposed approach is validated
through a numerical case study to characterize the framework's performance on a
set of dynamic goals.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, to appear at the 2019 Conference on Decision and
Control, Nice, F
Beyond Reynolds: A Constraint-Driven Approach to Cluster Flocking
In this paper, we present an original set of flocking rules using an
ecologically-inspired paradigm for control of multi-robot systems. We translate
these rules into a constraint-driven optimal control problem where the agents
minimize energy consumption subject to safety and task constraints. We prove
several properties about the feasible space of the optimal control problem and
show that velocity consensus is an optimal solution. We also motivate the
inclusion of slack variables in constraint-driven problems when the global
state is only partially observable by each agent. Finally, we analyze the case
where the communication topology is fixed and connected, and prove that our
proposed flocking rules achieve velocity consensus.Comment: 6 page
A Parametric Investigation and Optimization of a Cylindrical Explosive Charge
Explosive device design has a wide impact in the space, manufacturing, military, and mining industries. As a step toward computer assisted design of explosives, an optimization framework was developed using the Design Analysis Kit for Optimization and Terrascale Applications (Dakota). This software was coupled with the hydrocode CTH. This framework was applied to three exploding cylinder models, two in 1D and one in 2D. Gradient descent, dividing rectangles, and a genetic algorithm were each applied to the one-dimensional models. Parametric studies were performed as a basis for comparison with the optimization algorithms, as well as qualifying the 1D model\u27s accuracy. The gradient descent algorithm performed the best, when it converged on the optimum. Dividing rectangles took approximately twice as many iterations to converge as gradient descent, and the genetic algorithm performed marginally better than a full parametric study
Experimental Validation of a Real-Time Optimal Controller for Coordination of CAVs in a Multi-Lane Roundabout
Roundabouts in conjunction with other traffic scenarios, e.g., intersections,
merging roadways, speed reduction zones, can induce congestion in a
transportation network due to driver responses to various disturbances.
Research efforts have shown that smoothing traffic flow and eliminating
stop-and-go driving can both improve fuel efficiency of the vehicles and the
throughput of a roundabout. In this paper, we validate an optimal control
framework developed earlier in a multi-lane roundabout scenario using the
University of Delaware's scaled smart city (UDSSC). We first provide conditions
where the solution is optimal. Then, we demonstrate the feasibility of the
solution using experiments at UDSSC, and show that the optimal solution
completely eliminates stop-and-go driving while preserving safety.Comment: 6 Pages, 4 Figures, 1 tabl
A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Social Impact of Connected and Automated Vehicles
In this paper, we address the much-anticipated deployment of connected and
automated vehicles (CAVs) in society by modeling and analyzing the
social-mobility dilemma in a game-theoretic approach. We formulate this dilemma
as a normal-form game of players making a binary decision: whether to travel
with a CAV (CAV travel) or not (non-CAV travel) and by constructing an
intuitive payoff function inspired by the socially beneficial outcomes of a
mobility system consisting of CAVs. We show that the game is equivalent to the
Prisoner's dilemma, which implies that the rational collective decision is the
opposite of the socially optimum. We present two different solutions to tackle
this phenomenon: one with a preference structure and the other with
institutional arrangements. In the first approach, we implement a social
mechanism that incentivizes players to non-CAV travel and derive a lower bound
on the players that ensures an equilibrium of non-CAV travel. In the second
approach, we investigate the possibility of players bargaining to create an
institution that enforces non-CAV travel and show that as the number of players
increases, the incentive ratio of non-CAV travel over CAV travel tends to zero.
We conclude by showcasing the last result with a numerical study
An Optimal Control Approach to Flocking
Flocking behavior has attracted considerable attention in multi-agent
systems. The structure of flocking has been predominantly studied through the
application of artificial potential fields coupled with velocity consensus.
These approaches, however, do not consider the energy cost of the agents during
flocking, which is especially important in large-scale robot swarms. This paper
introduces an optimal control framework to induce flocking in a group of
agents. Guarantees of energy minimization and safety are provided, along with a
decentralized algorithm that satisfies the optimality conditions and can be
realized in real time. The efficacy of the proposed control algorithm is
evaluated through simulation in both MATLAB and Gazebo.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. To appear at the 2020 American Control Conferenc
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