Dual-Quaternion-Based SLERP MPC Local Controller for Safe Self-Driving of Robotic Wheelchairs

In this work, the motion control of a robotic wheelchair to achieve safe and intelligent movement in an unknown scenario is proposed. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive framework for a robotic wheelchair that combines a global path planner and a model predictive control (MPC) local controller. The A* algorithm is employed to generate a global path. To ensure safe and directional motion for the wheelchair user, an MPC local controller is implemented taking into account the via points generated by an approach combined with dual quaternions and spherical linear interpolation (SLERP). Dual quaternions are utilized for their simultaneous handling of rotation and translation, while SLERP enables smooth and continuous rotation interpolation by generating intermediate orientations between two specified orientations. The integration of these two methods optimizes navigation performance. The system is built on the Robot Operating System (ROS), with an electric wheelchair equipped with 3D-LiDAR serving as the hardware foundation. The experimental results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed method and demonstrate the ability of the robotic wheelchair to move safely from the initial position to the destination. This work contributes to the development of effective motion control for robotic wheelchairs, focusing on safety and improving the user experience when navigating in unknown environments.