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arXiv · 2409.12366

Bilevel Optimization for Real-Time Control with Application to Locomotion Gait Generation

Zachary Olkin·Aaron D. Ames
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Abstract

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a common tool for the control of nonlinear, real-world systems, such as legged robots. However, solving MPC quickly enough to enable its use in real-time is often challenging. One common solution is given by real-time iterations, which does not solve the MPC problem to convergence, but rather close enough to give an approximate solution. In this paper, we extend this idea to a bilevel control framework where a "high-level" optimization program modifies a controller parameter of a "low-level" MPC problem which generates the control inputs and desired state trajectory. We propose an algorithm to iterate on this bilevel program in real-time and provide conditions for its convergence and improvements in stability. We then demonstrate the efficacy of this algorithm by applying it to a quadrupedal robot where the high-level problem optimizes a contact schedule in real-time. We show through simulation that the algorithm can yield improvements in disturbance rejection and optimality, while creating qualitatively new gaits.

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Zachary Olkin, Aaron D. Ames. 2024-09-18. Bilevel Optimization for Real-Time Control with Application to Locomotion Gait Generation. https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.12366

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