The authors take as their starting point the construction of a graphical characterization or control flow diagram reflecting the transmission of generalized forces through the degrees of freedom. Underactuated systems are classified according to the three main structures by which this is found to happen—chain, tree, and isolated vertex—and control design procedures proposed. The procedure is applied to several well-known examples of underactuated systems: acrobot; pendubot; Tora system; ball and beam; inertia wheel; and robotic arm with elastic joint.
The text is illustrated with MATLABsup®/sup/Simulink® simulations that demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods detailed./ppReaders interested in aircraft, vehicle control or various forms of walking robot will be able to learn from iUnderactuated Mechanical Systems