Physical simulation of Marsupial UAV-UGV Systems Connected by a Variable-Length Hanging Tether

TL;DR

This paper introduces a validated simulation framework for modeling the complex dynamics of a tethered UAV-UGV system, enabling improved design and control in constrained environments.

Contribution

The work presents a novel simulation model that accurately reproduces tether dynamics and interaction between UAV, UGV, and winch mechanisms, validated against real-world experiments.

Findings

Simulation closely matches real-world tether behavior

Effective for studying motion dynamics in constrained environments

Provides a reliable tool for control strategy development

Abstract

This paper presents a simulation framework able of modeling the dynamics of a hanging tether with adjustable length, connecting a UAV to a UGV. The model incorporates the interaction between the UAV, UGV, and a winch, allowing for dynamic tether adjustments based on the relative motion of the robots. The accuracy and reliability of the simulator are assessed through extensive experiments, including comparisons with real-world experiment, to evaluate its ability to reproduce the complex tether dynamics observed in physical deployments. The results demonstrate that the simulation closely aligns with real-world behavior, particularly in constrained environments where tether effects are significant. This work provides a validated tool for studying tethered robotic systems, offering valuable insights into their motion dynamics and control strategies.