Isotropic Configurations of Omnidirectional Mobile Robots with Three Caster Wheels

In this paper, we identify the isotropic configurations of an omnidirectional mobile robot with three caster wheels, depending on the selection of actuated joints. First, We obtain the kinematic model of a caster wheeled omnidirectional mobile robot(COMR) without matrix inversion. For a given task velocity, the instantaneous motion of each wheel is decomposed into two orthogonal instantaneous motions of the steering and the rotating joints. Second, with the characteristic length introduced, we derive the isotropy conditions of a COMR having $n({\ge}3)$ actuated joints, which are imposed on two Jacobian matrices, $A{\in}R^{n{\times}3}$ and $B{\in}R^{6{\times}6}$. Under the condition of $B{\propto}I_6$, three caster wheels should have identical structure with the length of the steering link equal to the radius of the wheel. Third, depending on the selection of actuated joints, we derive the conditions for $A^t$ $A{\propto}I_3$ and identify the isotropic configurations of a COMR. All possible actuation sets with different number of actuated joints and different combination of rotating and steering joins are considered.