Blended Controller

Lab Objectives

The objective of this lab is to understand, modify and evaluate the performance of a blended controller for go-to-goal and obstacle avoidance behaviors.

Source File Code

As a starting point, download the following turtlebot_driver.cpp.
You can copy/paste this code or replace your turtlebot_driver.cpp with the file above.

Tasks

Task 1: Configure the new map

You need to configure the map of the turtlebot stage simulator first. You will use the following map.

Follow these steps:

• in a terminal, write the command

sudo nautilus

it will open a file browser in super user mode.

• Click on Computer in the left pane.
• Go to directory /opt/ros/indigo/share/turtlebot_stage/launch
• Copy the file turtlebot_in_stage_robopark.launch in the folder /opt/ros/indigo/share/turtlebot_stage/launch with the same name
• If the copy fails, then download the file turtlebot_in_stage_robopark.launch into you HOME directory and then execute this command in a terminal:

sudo cp turtlebot_in_stage_robopark.launch /opt/ros/indigo/share/turtlebot_stage/launch/turtlebot_in_stage_robopark.launch

put the password when requested.

• Close the file browser.

Task 2: Run and Test the code

Now, open two terminals to run and test the code.
In the first terminal, write:

roslaunch turtlebot_stage turtlebot_in_stage_robopark.launch

In the second terminal, run

rosrun beginner_tutorials turtlebot_driver_node

You should see the robot moving towards its target location.

Task 3: Algorithm Analysis

Open Eclipse, read the code and respond to the following questions:

• Question 1: write the equations of the blended controller and explain each parameter in the equations.
• Question 2: In the BlendedBehavior() function, replace the line double distObst = LaserScanner::getMinimumRange(_scanMsg); by double distObst = LaserScanner::getFrontRange(_scanMsg);.
  • test the code several times after this change.
  • What do you observe?
  • Explain your observation

• Question 3: put back the line double distObst = LaserScanner::getMinimumRange(_scanMsg);
  

Now, replace the code

if (LR>RR){
             Xop=Xr+(distObst*cos(theta_robot+(PI/2)));
             Yop=Yr+(distObst*sin(theta_robot+(PI/2)));
           }else{
                   Xop=Xr+(distObst*cos(theta_robot-(PI/2)));
                   Yop=Yr+(distObst*sin(theta_robot-(PI/2)));
           }

with the following code

 Xop=Xr+(distObst*cos(theta_robot+(PI/2)));
 Yop=Yr+(distObst*sin(theta_robot+(PI/2)));

• • test the code several times after this change.
  • What do you observe?
  • Explain you observation

• Question 4: put back the code

 if (LR>RR){
             Xop=Xr+(distObst*cos(theta_robot+(PI/2)));
             Yop=Yr+(distObst*sin(theta_robot+(PI/2)));
           }else{
                   Xop=Xr+(distObst*cos(theta_robot-(PI/2)));
                   Yop=Yr+(distObst*sin(theta_robot-(PI/2)));
           }

replace the expression

sigma_gtg = 1-exp(-1.0*(distObst-0.3));

by

sigma_gtg = a_constant_value_of_you_choice; // the constant must be between 0.0 and 1.0

• • test the code several times after this change.
  • What do you observe?
  • Explain you observation

• Question 5: replace the expression

sigma_gtg = 1-exp(-1.0*(distObst-0.3));

by

sigma_gtg = 1-exp(-9.0*(distObst-0.3));

• • test the code several times after this change.
  • What do you observe?
  • Explain you observation

How to Submit

You must submit a Word document that contains the answers of the questions above. Put the Word document in your personal shared dropbox folder. The name of the Word document must the following lab03_BlendedBehavior_fullStudentName.doc

Deadline

Sunday Nov 8, 2015

Grading

• Grade: 10 points
• Deadline: