F1/10 Docking using MPC

This ROS2 package enables an F1/10 car to dock autonomously at a docking station using a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm. The package employs a custom objective function with configurable constraints specified in the config.yaml file. The vehicle’s kinematics are modeled using a bicycle model.

Package Architecture

This ROS2 package operates as an action server designed to manage the docking process. Users can send desired positions to the server using a custom Docking message type.<div align="center">

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Docking Preview

The video showcases the F1/10 car performing the docking maneuver using the MPC-based control algorithm at a designated docking station.

Bicycle Model Equations

State Variables:

• $x_{\text{pos}}$: x-position of the car
• $y_{\text{pos}}$: y-position of the car
• $\theta$: Orientation angle of the car (heading)
• $\delta$: Steering angle

Control Inputs:

• $v$: Linear velocity of the car
• $\phi$: Steering rate (rate of change of steering angle)

Parameters:

• $L$: Wheelbase (distance between front and rear wheels)

State Dynamics:

The model uses the following continuous-time equations to describe the evolution of the state variables:

\frac{dx_{\text{pos}}}{dt} = v \cdot \cos(\theta)

\frac{dy_{\text{pos}}}{dt} = v \cdot \sin(\theta)

\frac{d\theta}{dt} = \frac{v \cdot \tan(\delta)}{L}

\frac{d\delta}{dt} = \phi

Objective Function

The objective function is central to the MPC, guiding the controller to make optimal decisions by balancing multiple factors such as position accuracy, orientation, steering angles, and control efforts.

Components of the Objective Function

1. Stage Cost:

   The stage cost evaluates the performance at each step within the prediction horizon. It consists of the following terms:

   lterm = \left( \left( \frac{x_{\text{pos}} - x_{\text{set}}}{x_{\text{upper}} - x_{\text{lower}}} \times G_{\text{pos}} \right)^2 + \left( \frac{y_{\text{pos}} - y_{\text{set}}}{y_{\text{upper}} - y_{\text{lower}}} \times G_{\text{pos}} \right)^2 + \left( (\theta - \theta_{\text{set}}) \times G_{\theta} \right)^2 + \left( (\delta - \delta_{\text{set}}) \times G_{\delta} \right)^2 \right)
   

1. Terminal Cost:

   The terminal cost evaluates the performance at the end of the prediction horizon. In this project, the terminal cost is set to be equal to the stage cost:

   mterm = lterm
   

1. Control Effort Penalties:

   To avoid aggressive control actions, penalties are applied to the control inputs:

     rterm_v = 1 \times 10^{-2}
     

     rterm_\phi = 1 \times 10^{-2}
     

Combined Objective Function

The overall objective function combines the terminal and stage costs:

\text{Objective} = \sum_{k=0}^{N-1} lterm_k + mterm_N + \sum_{k=0}^{N-1} (rterm_v \cdot v_k + rterm_\phi \cdot \phi_k)

where $N$ is the prediction horizon.

How to test

Edit the config file:

nvim f1tenth_docking/config/config.yaml

Start the docking action server:

File truncated at 100 lines see the full file