CONTROL OF FLYING ROBOTS AND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Course objectives

The course presents a selection of advanced topics in Robotics and is intended as an introduction to research. At the end of the course the student will be able to: - fully develop a problem in Robotics, from its analysis to the proposal of solution methods and their implementation - understand major aspects in mathematical modeling and control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with main emphasis on quadrotors - recognize major features of the Hummingbird quadrotor - understand and design attitude and position controllers - analyze and manage algorithms for trajectory generation and tracking, and sensor-based control - understand and solve problems related to modelling and control of locomotion and haptic interfaces for VR exploration..

Channel 1
MARILENA VENDITTELLI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course is organized in two modules of 3 credits, chosen from the 4 modules of the Elective in Robotics course. Each module has its own specific program available at the beginning of the lesson cycle. A detailed and updated description of the programs is available at the page: http://www.diag.uniroma1.it/vendittelli/EIR/ Here is a summary of the 4 Elective in Robotics modules to choose from: Module 1: Modeling and control of multi-rotor UAVs (Marilena Vendittelli) - Introduction to the course and aerial vehicles modeling - Quadrotor modeling - Control based on linear approximation - Backstepping-based control - Control based on dynamic feedback linearization - Geometric control on SE(3) - State estimation - Motion planning - Navigation among obstacles based on control barrier functions Module 2: Underactuated Robots (Leonardo Lanari, Nicola Scianca) 1. Introduction Motivation. Definition of underactuated system (generalized coordinates vs degrees of freedom). Examples of underactuated robots. 2. Modeling and Properties Eulero-Lagrange modeling (classic and alternate). State-space form. Control problems of interest. Controllabiity (STLA, STLC, natural controllability). Comparison with fully actuated robots. Integrability conditions for passive dynamics. Equilibrium points and linear controllability. 3. Case Studies: Acrobot and Pendubot Modeling. Approximate linearization at equilibria. Linear controllability. Balancing. Partial feedback linearization. Swing-up (1) via analysis of the zero dynamics (2) via energy pumping. 4. Zero dynamics in underactuated systems Normal form and zero dynamics. Importance of the zero dynamics in control. Zero-dynamics in linear and nonlinear underactuated systems. The homoclinic orbit. 5. Passivity Definition and physical interpretation. Linear and nonlinear mechanical systems examples. Dissipativity in state space representations. Feedback equivalence to a passive system. Output stabilization of passive systems 6. Energy-based control of underactuated systems The convey-crane and reaction-wheel cases. 7. Optimization methods for Planning and Control Introduction to Dynamic Programming. Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. Derivation of the Linear Quadratic Regulator Linear-Time-Varying LQR. Trajectory optimization with Iterative LQR. Constrained optimization. Model Predictive Control (Linear, LTV and Nonlinear). LQR-trees. Module 3: Physical Human-Robot Interaction (Antonio Franchi) Physical and cognitive Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI and cHRI). Robot safety and dependability (mechanics, sensing, planning, and control). Lightweight and compliant robotic manipulators. Robots with Variable Stiffness Actuation (VSA). Soft robotics. An architecture for pHRI: safety, coexistence, and collaborative layers. Safety standards in robotics. The collision event pipeline. Sensorless detection and isolation of collisions and contacts. Collision detection in industrial robots with a closed control architeture. Safe reaction strategies to collisions. Use of redundancy. Human-robot coexistence. Monitoring distances in the workspace. Collision avoidance in dynamic/anthropic domains. Industrial case study. Human-robot collaboration: contactless/visual coordination or with physical interaction. Contact localization and contact force estimation. Control schemes for collaborative human-robot tasks: admittance control, force regulation, impedance control, hybrid force/motion control. Case studies in two industrial prototype cells. Module 4: Control of Multi-Robot Systems (Andrea Cristofaro) - Examples of applications of multi-robot systems. - Centralized vs. decentralized architectures. - Elements of graph theory. - Connectivity and Consensus; Passivity and Lyapunov stability; Interconnection of mechanical systems. - Application to multi-UAV systems: Formation control with time-varying topology; Formation control with connectivity maintenance; Steady-state behaviors; - Overview of other multi robot problems.
Prerequisites
A general background in robotics (kinematics, dynamics, planning, control) is desirable but not mandatory.
Books
Material distributed by the lecturers.
Teaching mode
Lectures illustrating the methodologies used in the areas considered in the different modules of the course. Case study analysis, examples of application to real systems. Hands-on laboratory activities, if allowed by the anti-covid measures.
Frequency
Not mandatory in general, although instructors of each module may overrule this general modality.
Exam mode
Projects or presentations for topics in each module.
Lesson mode
Lectures illustrating the methodologies used in the areas considered in the different modules of the course. Case study analysis, examples of application to real systems. Hands-on laboratory activities, if allowed by the anti-covid measures.
MARILENA VENDITTELLI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course is organized in two modules of 3 credits, chosen from the 4 modules of the Elective in Robotics course. Each module has its own specific program available at the beginning of the lesson cycle. A detailed and updated description of the programs is available at the page: http://www.diag.uniroma1.it/vendittelli/EIR/ Here is a summary of the 4 Elective in Robotics modules to choose from: Module 1: Modeling and control of multi-rotor UAVs (Marilena Vendittelli) - Introduction to the course and aerial vehicles modeling - Quadrotor modeling - Control based on linear approximation - Backstepping-based control - Control based on dynamic feedback linearization - Geometric control on SE(3) - State estimation - Motion planning - Navigation among obstacles based on control barrier functions Module 2: Underactuated Robots (Leonardo Lanari, Nicola Scianca) 1. Introduction Motivation. Definition of underactuated system (generalized coordinates vs degrees of freedom). Examples of underactuated robots. 2. Modeling and Properties Eulero-Lagrange modeling (classic and alternate). State-space form. Control problems of interest. Controllabiity (STLA, STLC, natural controllability). Comparison with fully actuated robots. Integrability conditions for passive dynamics. Equilibrium points and linear controllability. 3. Case Studies: Acrobot and Pendubot Modeling. Approximate linearization at equilibria. Linear controllability. Balancing. Partial feedback linearization. Swing-up (1) via analysis of the zero dynamics (2) via energy pumping. 4. Zero dynamics in underactuated systems Normal form and zero dynamics. Importance of the zero dynamics in control. Zero-dynamics in linear and nonlinear underactuated systems. The homoclinic orbit. 5. Passivity Definition and physical interpretation. Linear and nonlinear mechanical systems examples. Dissipativity in state space representations. Feedback equivalence to a passive system. Output stabilization of passive systems 6. Energy-based control of underactuated systems The convey-crane and reaction-wheel cases. 7. Optimization methods for Planning and Control Introduction to Dynamic Programming. Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. Derivation of the Linear Quadratic Regulator Linear-Time-Varying LQR. Trajectory optimization with Iterative LQR. Constrained optimization. Model Predictive Control (Linear, LTV and Nonlinear). LQR-trees. Module 3: Physical Human-Robot Interaction (Antonio Franchi) Physical and cognitive Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI and cHRI). Robot safety and dependability (mechanics, sensing, planning, and control). Lightweight and compliant robotic manipulators. Robots with Variable Stiffness Actuation (VSA). Soft robotics. An architecture for pHRI: safety, coexistence, and collaborative layers. Safety standards in robotics. The collision event pipeline. Sensorless detection and isolation of collisions and contacts. Collision detection in industrial robots with a closed control architeture. Safe reaction strategies to collisions. Use of redundancy. Human-robot coexistence. Monitoring distances in the workspace. Collision avoidance in dynamic/anthropic domains. Industrial case study. Human-robot collaboration: contactless/visual coordination or with physical interaction. Contact localization and contact force estimation. Control schemes for collaborative human-robot tasks: admittance control, force regulation, impedance control, hybrid force/motion control. Case studies in two industrial prototype cells. Module 4: Control of Multi-Robot Systems (Andrea Cristofaro) - Examples of applications of multi-robot systems. - Centralized vs. decentralized architectures. - Elements of graph theory. - Connectivity and Consensus; Passivity and Lyapunov stability; Interconnection of mechanical systems. - Application to multi-UAV systems: Formation control with time-varying topology; Formation control with connectivity maintenance; Steady-state behaviors; - Overview of other multi robot problems.
Prerequisites
A general background in robotics (kinematics, dynamics, planning, control) is desirable but not mandatory.
Books
Material distributed by the lecturers.
Teaching mode
Lectures illustrating the methodologies used in the areas considered in the different modules of the course. Case study analysis, examples of application to real systems. Hands-on laboratory activities, if allowed by the anti-covid measures.
Frequency
Not mandatory in general, although instructors of each module may overrule this general modality.
Exam mode
Projects or presentations for topics in each module.
Lesson mode
Lectures illustrating the methodologies used in the areas considered in the different modules of the course. Case study analysis, examples of application to real systems. Hands-on laboratory activities, if allowed by the anti-covid measures.
  • Lesson code10589446
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseAeronautical engineering
  • CurriculumGestione ed operazioni nell'aviazione civile e sistemi di volo
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDING-INF/04
  • CFU6