An Input-Output Linearization Approach to the Control of an n-Body Articulated Vehicle

The problem of path-tracking for an autonomous vehicle composed of a tractor and n−1 trailers with off-axle hitching is considered in this paper. It is shown that an input-output feedback linearization technique can be adopted both in forward and backward maneuvers, leading to the stabilization of the path-tracking offset dynamics about circular paths. The location of the guide-point needs to be selected according to the direction of motion, and, when moving backward, the off-axle distances must be all positive.