Visual teach and repeat, repeat, repeat: Iterative Learning Control to improve mobile robot path tracking in challenging outdoor environments

Chris J. Ostafew, Angela P. Schoellig, Timothy D. Barfoot

Abstract: This paper presents a path-repeating, mobile robot controller that combines a feedforward, proportional Iterative Learning Control (ILC) algorithm with a feedback-linearized path-tracking controller to reduce path-tracking errors over repeated traverses along a reference path. Localization for the controller is provided by an on-board, vision-based mapping and navigation system enabling operation in large-scale, GPS-denied, extreme environments. The paper presents experimental results including over 600 m of travel by a four-wheeled, 50 kg robot travelling through challenging terrain including steep hills and sandy turns and by a six-wheeled, 160 kg robot at gradually-increased speeds up to three times faster than the nominal, safe speed. In the absence of a global localization system, ILC is demonstrated to reduce path-tracking errors caused by unmodelled robot dynamics and terrain challenges.