Safety-Critical Control on Lie Groups Using Energy-Augmented Zeroing Control Barrier Functions

Abstract

We study safety-critical control on fully actuated mechanical systems by means of Zeroing Control Barrier Functions (ZCBFs) defined on Lie Groups. Specifically, we introduce and theoretically validate two classes of ZCBFs. The first enforces kinematic constraints, suitable for implementing obstacle avoidance algorithms. The second enforces kinetic energy limits along prescribed inertial-frame translational and rotational directions, relevant for ensuring safe physical interaction. Numerical simulations involving slit traversal and safe landing scenarios are presented to validate the effectiveness and versatility of the proposed methodology.