# An optimization framework for simulation and kinematic control of Constrained Collaborative Mobile Agents (CCMA) system

## TL;DR

This paper introduces an optimization framework for simulating and controlling a modular system of wheeled mobile agents connected by passive kinematic chains, enabling adaptable manipulation tasks.

## Contribution

It develops a flexible optimization approach for forward simulation and kinematic control of CCMA systems, enhancing modularity and collaborative manipulation capabilities.

## Key findings

- Simulation results for 4-6 DOF CCMA systems
- Experimental validation with two prototypes
- Demonstrated different actuation and control schemes

## Abstract

We present a concept of constrained collaborative mobile agents (CCMA) system, which consists of multiple wheeled mobile agents constrained by a passive kinematic chain. This mobile robotic system is modular in nature, the passive kinematic chain can be easily replaced with different designs and morphologies for different functions and task adaptability. Depending solely on the actuation of the mobile agents, this mobile robotic system can manipulate or position an end-effector. However, the complexity of the system due to presence of several mobile agents, passivity of the kinematic chain and the nature of the constrained collaborative manipulation requires development of an optimization framework. We therefore present an optimization framework for forward simulation and kinematic control of this system. With this optimization framework, the number of deployed mobile agents, actuation schemes, the design and morphology of the passive kinematic chain can be easily changed, which reinforces the modularity and collaborative aspects of the mobile robotic system. We present results, in simulation, for spatial 4-DOF to 6-DOF CCMA system examples. Finally, we present experimental quantitative results for two different fabricated 4-DOF prototypes, which demonstrate different actuation schemes, control and collaborative manipulation of an end-effector.