Object-oriented modelling and control of vehicles with omni-directional wheels

Abstract

Using omni-directional wheels for vehicles operating on flat ground enables high variability of the vehicle’s motion. The vehicle can perform longitudinal, lateral or diagonal movement or it can yaw i.e. rotate about its vertical axis. Any simultaneous combination of these base movements is possible as well. By virtue of the omni-directional wheels the prescribed motion of the vehicle is accomplished solely by applying different driving torques on each of the wheels - hence no wheel steering is necessary. In the paper an object-oriented approach for modelling of the complete vehicle will be presented. With this approach, different variants of the vehicle within various scenarios can be conveniently handled and investigated in simulations.