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Searching optimal trajectory of motion is a complex problem that is investigated in many research studies. Most of the studies investigate methods that are applicable to such a problem in general, regardless of the model of the object. With such general approach, only numerical solution can be found. However, in some cases it is possible to find an optimal trajectory in a closed form. Current article considers a time optimal problem with state limitations for a wheeled mobile differential robot that moves on a horizontal plane. The mathematical model of motion is kinematic. The state constraints correspond to the obstacles on the plane defined as circles that need to be avoided during motion. The independent control inputs are the wheel speeds that are limited in absolute value. Such model is commonly used in problems where the transients are considered insignificant, for example, when controlling tracked or wheeled devices that move slowly, prioritizing traction power over speed. In the article it is shown that the optimal trajectory from the starting point to the finishing point in such kinematic approach is a sequence of straight segments of tangents to the obstacles and arcs of the circles that limit the obstacles. The geometrically shortest path between the start and the finish is also a sequence of straight lines and arcs, therefore the time-optimal trajectory corresponds to one of the local minima when searching for the shortest path. The article proposes a method of search for the time-optimal trajectory based on building a graph of possible trajectories, where the edges are the possible segments of the tajectory, and the vertices are the connections between them. The optimal path is sought using Dijkstra’s algorithm. The theoretical foundation of the method is given, and the results of computer investigation of the algorithm are provided.

This article is devoted to the development of an algorithm for trajectory control of a highly maneuverable four-wheeled robotic transport platform equipped with mecanum wheels, in order to organize its movement behind some moving object. The calculation of the kinematic ratios of this platform in a fixed coordinate system is presented, which is necessary to determine the angular velocities of the robot wheels depending on a given velocity vector. An algorithm has been developed for the robot to follow a mobile object on a plane without obstacles based on the use of a modified chase method using different types of control functions. The chase method consists in the fact that the velocity vector of the geometric center of the platform is co-directed with the vector connecting the geometric center of the platform and the moving object. Two types of control functions are implemented: piecewise and constant. The piecewise function means control with switching modes depending on the distance from the robot to the target. The main feature of the piecewise function is a smooth change in the robot’s speed. Also, the control functions are divided according to the nature of behavior when the robot approaches the target. When using one of the piecewise functions, the robot’s movement slows down when a certain distance between the robot and the target is reached and stops completely at a critical distance. Another type of behavior when approaching the target is to change the direction of the velocity vector to the opposite, if the distance between the platform and the object is the minimum allowable, which avoids collisions when the target moves in the direction of the robot. This type of behavior when approaching the goal is implemented for a piecewise and constant function. Numerical simulation of the robot control algorithm for various control functions in the task of chasing a target, where the target moves in a circle, is performed. The pseudocode of the control algorithm and control functions is presented. Graphs of the robot’s trajectory when moving behind the target, speed changes, changes in the angular velocities of the wheels from time to time for various control functions are shown.