Leader-Follower Mobile Robots Control Based on Light Source Detection

This paper deals with the leader-following control of multiple autonomous mobile robots based on a new sensing method. In this method, we have mounted a light source on the leader robot and installed a photovoltaic sensor at the front end of the follower robot. The photovoltaic sensor consisting of seven micro solar modules acts as a light sensor for the follower robot which helps it to move in accordance with the leader robot by detecting the light source of the leader robot. From the relative angle measurement and ultrasonic measurement of the relative distance, angle offset and distance information between leader robot and follower robot can be estimated. Then, based on an intuitive control method for angle steering proposed in this paper, the follower robot can be controlled smoothly to achieve leader following purpose. The new leader-following control method could overcome the disadvantages of other existing formation control methods. The experimental results show that the leader following based on light source tracking is a comparatively efficient, accurate, and cost-effective method.