Path Following of a Tractor-Trailer System via Dynamic Extension in Forward and Backward Motion

Abstract

Tractor-trailer wheeled robots (TTWRs) have gained significant attention across various industries and control studies due to their complex dynamics and non-minimum phase behavior, which pose substantial control challenges. This study investigates the control of a differentially-driven tractor to follow a specified path under pure rolling conditions in both forward and backward motion. Notably, it has been established that using static feedback linearization (SFL) leads to instability during backward motion. In contrast, this research uses dynamic feedback linearization (DFL), also known as dynamic extension, for controlling the tractor-trailer system in both directions for the first time. Our findings demonstrate that the internal dynamics of the system remain stable in both forward and backward motions, enabling successful adherence to the desired path.