Control of the two-wheeled inverted pendulum (TWIP) robot in presence of model uncertainty and motion restriction

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve control performance and safety of a real two-wheeled inverted pendulum (TWIP) robot by dealing with model uncertainty and motion restriction simultaneously, which can be extended to other TWIP robotic systems. Design/methodology/approach The inequality of lumped model uncertainty boundary is derived from original TWIP dynamics. Several motion restriction conditions are derived considering zero dynamics, centripedal force, ground friction condition, posture stability, control torque limitation and so on. Sliding-mode control (SMC) and model predictive control (MPC) are separately adopted to design controllers for longitudinal and rotational motion, while taking model uncertainty into account. The reference value of the moving velocity and acceleration, delivered to the designed controller, should be restricted in a specified range, limited by motion restrictions, to keep safe. Findings The cancelation of model uncertainty commonly existing in real system can improve control performance. The motion commands play an important role in maintaining safety and reliability of TWIP, which can be ensured by the proposed motion restriction to avoid potential movement failure, such as slipping, lateral tipping over because of turning and large fluctuation of body. Originality/value An inequation of lumped model uncertainty boundary incorporating comprehensive errors and uncertainties of system is derived and elaborately calculated to determine the switching coefficients of SMC. The motion restrictions for TWIP robot moving in 3D are derived and used to impose constraints on reference trajectory to avoid possible instability or failure of movement.