In all of the the following images, Nomad's starting point is in the center of the spiral.
For this first test, the spiral pattern did not include any path following
algorithm, but just changed the turning radius at specific points. Due to
Nomad's delays in reaching requested turning configurations, plus the limited
discrete turning radii which were allowed, the pattern did not turn out very
well.
A path following algorithm was introduced, but the correction gain factors
were apparently wrong.
In this case, Nomad did not recognize when it had reached an endpoint -- the
point where the turning radius should be increased (every half of a circle).
The robot kept driving at the same turning radius, thus making a nearly
perfect cirle -- which is nice, but not what I wanted.
Nomad did better here, but the turning radius selected (out of the discrete
allowed radii) wasn't quite large enough, and the path following algorithm
was still not functioning.
This one was pretty good. I think it was only luck, though. I still didn't
have the path following algorithm working properly.
The path following algorithm was in place, but the correction gain was not
right for the speed Nomad was traveling (0.25 m/s), causing large oscillations
around the proper position. However, I think the pattern looks pretty cool.
I slowed Nomad down to 0.15 m/s, and this time the combination of correction
gain and speed was just right.
I tried it again the next week just to make sure, and yes, it still worked.