Robust formation control for networked robotic systems using Negative Imaginary dynamics

This paper proposes a consensus-based formation tracking scheme for multi-robot systems utilizing the Negative Imaginary (NI) theory. The proposed scheme applies to a class of networked robotic systems that can be modelled as a group of single integrator agents with stable uncertainties connected via an undirected graph. NI/SNI property of networked agents facilitates the design of a distributed Strictly Negative Imaginary (SNI) controller to achieve the desired formation tracking. A new theoretical proof of asymptotic convergence of the formation tracking trajectories is derived based on the integral controllability of a networked SNI systems. The proposed scheme is an alternative to the conventional Lyapunov-based formation tracking schemes. It offers robustness to NI/SNI-type model uncertainties and fault-tolerance to a sudden loss of robots due to hardware/communication fault. The feasibility and usefulness of the proposed formation tracking scheme were validated by lab-based real-time hardware experiments involving miniature mobile robots.(C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.