Optimal Posture Control for Unmanned Bicycle

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an optimal posture control law for an unmanned bicycle by deriving linear bicycle model from fully nonlinear differential equations. We calculate each equilibrium point of a bicycle under any given turning radius and angular speed of rear wheel. There is only one equilibrium point when a bicycle goes straight, while there are a lot of equilibrium points in case of turning. We present an optimal equilibrium point which makes the leaning input minimum when a bicycle is turning. As human riders give rolling torque by moving center of gravity of a body, many previous studies use a movable mass to move center of gravity like humans do. Instead we propose a propeller as a new leaning input which generates rolling torque. The propeller thrust input makes bicycle model simpler and removes input magnitude constraint unlike a movable mass. The proposed controller can hold optimal equilibrium points using both steering input and leaning input. The simulation results on linear control for circular motion are demonstrated to show the validity of the proposed approach.