Virtual Constraints on Lie groups

Abstract: This paper studies virtual constraints on Lie groups. Virtual constraints are invariant relations imposed on a control system via feedback. In this work, we introduce the notion of \textit{virtual constraints on Lie groups}, in particular, \textit{virtual nonholonomic constraints on Lie groups}, in a geometric framework. More precisely, this object is a controlled invariant subspace associated with an affine connection mechanical control system on the Lie algebra associated with the Lie group which is the configuration space of the system. We demonstrate the existence and uniqueness of a control law defining a virtual nonholonomic constraint and we characterize the trajectories of the closed-loop system as solutions of a mechanical system associated with an induced constrained connection. Moreover, we characterize the reduced dynamics for nonholonomic systems in terms of virtual nonholonomic constraints, i.e., we characterize when can we obtain reduced nonholonomic dynamics from virtual nonholonomic constraints. We illustrate the theory with some examples and present simulation results for an application.