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Learning Accurate and Robust Velocity Tracking for Quadrupedal Robots
  • +2
  • Chengrui Zhu,
  • Zhen Zhang,
  • Weiwei Liu,
  • Siqi Li,
  • Yong Liu
Chengrui Zhu
Zhejiang University Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control
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Zhen Zhang
Zhejiang University Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control
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Weiwei Liu
Huzhou Institute Zhejiang University
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Siqi Li
Zhejiang University Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control
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Yong Liu
Zhejiang University Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control

Corresponding Author:yongliu@iipc.zju.edu.cn

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Abstract

Quadrupedal robots are highly regarded for their superior locomotion capabilities and terrain adaptability, making them competent in a wide range of applications. In autonomous navigation tasks, they are required to track upper-level trajectories to reach designated locations with flexible obstacle avoidance. This is typically achieved by a planner which generates a reference velocity and a controller which accurately tracks the velocity commands. In this article, we propose a learning-based controller for quadrupedal robots that achieves accurate and robust velocity tracking. To bridge the gap between simulation and reality, an analytical actuator model is proposed to simulate physical actuator dynamics. We then train a control policy in simulation using Constrained Reinforcement Learning, where symmetry and smoothness constraints are incorporated into reinforcement learning. The symmetry constraint promotes coordinated locomotion and consistent velocity tracking performance, while the smoothness constraint reduces jerky actions and generates stable velocity performance. The control policy is zero-shot deployed on the Unitree AlienGo. It demonstrates a tracking error of less than 0.084 m/s over the entire velocity range and robust locomotion on natural terrain. We also test our controller by integrating it to a pedestrian tracking framework and prove its capability of trajectory following and long-term reliablitiy.
30 Nov 2024Submitted to Journal of Field Robotics
03 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
03 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
03 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned