In this research study, trajectory planning of mobile robot is accomplished using two techniques, namely, a new variant of multi-objective differential evolution (heterogeneous multi-objective differential evolution) and popular elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). For this research problem, a wheeled mobile robot with differential drive is considered. A practical, feasible and optimal trajectory between two locations in the presence of obstacles is determined through the proposed algorithms. A safer path is obtained by optimizing certain objectives (travel time and actuators effort) taking into account the limitations of mobile robot’s geometric, kinematic and dynamic parameters. Robot motion is represented by a cubic NURBS trajectory curve. The capability of the proposed optimization techniques is analyzed through numerical simulations. Results ensure that the proposed techniques are more desirable for this problem.

Studying wheel and ground interaction during motion has the potential to increase the performance of localization, navigation, and trajectory tracking control of a mobile robot. In this paper, a differential mobile robot is modeled in a way that (traction, rolling, and lateral) wheel forces are included in the overall system dynamics. Lateral wheel forces are included in the mathematical model together with traction and rolling forces. A least square parameter estimation process is proposed to estimate the parameters of the wheel forces. In order to implement the proposed methodologies, an experimental setup is used. The setup contains a differentially driven mobile robot, a specially constructed test surface, and a camera system attached at the top of surface for obtaining ground truth. Models having one or more wheel forces are simulated to find the most realistic model. Simulation results are verified by experiments.