Analysis of Prediction Models for Multi-Robot System NMPFC

This paper analyzes the prediction model of a nonlinear model predictive formation controller (NMPFC) applied to control the formation of a team of omnidirectional mobile robots. The prediction model calculates future formation behaviors with respect to obstacles, teammates in formation, target, orientation, position in formation and control effort using a kinematic model to predict most of the formation terms. Nevertheless, the prediction of the robots in formation can be done by either dynamic models or pure kinematic models. Therefore, this paper presents an analysis in order to find a balanced robot's prediction model that stimulates the robots the converge in less time and minimizing the controller's cost function. Finally, results of experiments with simulated robots are presented and discussed.