Kinematic observers for articulated rovers

A state estimator design is presented for a Mars rover prototype. Odometry estimates are obtained by utilizing the fall kinematics of the vehicle including the nonlinear internal kinematics of the rover rocker-bogey mechanism as well as the contact kinematics between the wheels and the ground. Additional sensing using gyroscopes, accelerometers and visual sensors allows for robust rover motion state estimation. Simulation as well as experimental results are presented to illustrate the estimator operation.