Multibody dynamics modeling and simulation of a three-wheeled mobile robot using a robotic approach

Abstract

PurposeThis paper focuses on the application of a robotic technique for modeling a three-wheeled mobile robot (WMR), considering it as a multibody polyarticulated system. Then the dynamic behavior of the developed model is verified using a physical model obtained by Simscape Multibody.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, a geometric model is developed using the modified Denavit–Hartenberg method. Then the dynamic model is derived using the algorithm of Newton–Euler. The developed model is performed for a three-wheeled differentially driven robot, which incorporates the slippage of wheels by including the Kiencke tire model to take into account the interaction of wheels with the ground. For the physical model, the mobile robot is designed using Solidworks. Then it is exported to Matlab using Simscape Multibody. The control of the WMR for both models is realized using Matlab/Simulink and aims to ensure efficient tracking of the desired trajectory.FindingsSimulation results show a good similarity between the two models and verify both longitudinal and lateral behaviors of the WMR. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the developed model using the robotic approach and proves that it is sufficiently precise for the design of control schemes.Originality/valueThe motivation to adopt this robotic approach compared to conventional methods is the fact that it makes it possible to obtain models with a reduced number of operations. Furthermore, it allows the facility of implementation by numerical or symbolical programming. This work serves as a reference link for extending this methodology to other types of mobile robots.