Introduction -- Basic Nonlinear Control Methods -- Dynamic Models of Ground, Aerial and Marine Robots -- Nonlinear Control of Industrial Robots -- Nonlinear Control of Cars -- Nonlinear Control of Airplanes and Helicopters -- Nonlinear Control of Surface Ships -- Formation Control of Vehicles -- Modeling Mechanical Systems with Non-smooth Nonlinearities -- Mechanical Control Systems with Non-smooth Nonlinearities -- Model-based Identification and Adaptive Compensation of Non-smooth Nonlinearities -- Conclusions and Future Research Directions -- Appendices.

Tracking of autonomous vehicles and the high-precision positioning of robotic manipulators require advanced modeling techniques and control algorithms. Controller design should take into account any model nonlinearities. Nonlinear Control of Vehicles and Robots develops a unified approach to the dynamic modeling of robots in terrestrial, aerial and marine environments. To begin with, the main classes of nonlinear systems and stability methods are summarized. Basic nonlinear control methods useful in manipulator and vehicle control – linearization, backstepping, sliding-mode and receding-horizon control – are presented. Formation control of ground robots and ships is discussed. The second part of the book deals with the modeling and control of robotic systems in the presence of non-smooth nonlinearities including analysis of their influence on the performance of motion control systems. Robust adaptive tracking control of robotic systems with unknown payload and friction in the presence of uncertainties is treated. Theoretical (guaranteed stability, guaranteed tracking precision, boundedness of all signals in the control loop) and practical (implementability) aspects of the control algorithms under discussion are detailed. Examples are included throughout the book allowing the reader to apply the control and modeling techniques in their own research and development work. Some of these examples demonstrate state estimation based on the use of advanced sensors such as Inertial Measurement System, Global Positioning System and vision systems as part of the control system. Nonlinear Control of Vehicles and Robots will interest academic researchers studying the control of robots and industrial research and development engineers and graduate students wishing to become familiar with modern control algorithms and modeling techniques for the most common mechatronics systems: vehicles and robot manipulators.