Towards Time-Optimal Tunnel-Following for Quadrotors

Minimum-time navigation within constrained and dynamic environments is of special relevance in robotics. Seeking time-optimality, while guaranteeing the integrity of time-varying spatial bounds, is an appealing trade-off for agile vehicles, such as quadrotors. State-of-the-art approaches, either assume bounds to be static and generate time-optimal trajectories offline, or compromise time-optimality for constraint satisfaction. Leveraging nonlinear model predictive control and a path parametric reformulation of the quadrotor model, we present a real-time control that approximates time-optimal behavior and remains within dynamic corridors. The efficacy of the approach is evaluated by simulated results, showing itself capable of performing extremely aggressive maneuvers as well as stop-and-go and backward motions. Video: https://youtu.be/Apc8MCu7Yvo