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Topological Online Learning for Displacement-based Formation Control

Summary

This paper introduces TOLD, a real-time edge-level adaptation framework that updates interaction topology weights online to minimize formation distortion, outperforming conventional node-level robust controllers. Theoretical analysis, simulations, and hardware experiments on Crazyflie 2.0 quadrotors demonstrate significant distortion reduction (over 62% for OGF).

SourcearXiv RoboticsAuthor: Saksham Sharma, Shubhankar Gupta, Sumant A Gunagi, Suresh Sundaram
Topological Online Learning for Displacement-based Formation Control
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[2606.23901] Topological Online Learning for Displacement-based Formation Control

[Submitted on 22 Jun 2026]

Title:Topological Online Learning for Displacement-based Formation Control

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Abstract:This paper addresses the problem of robust formation control by introducing Topological Online Learning for Displacement-based (TOLD) formation control, a real-time edge-level adaptation framework. Unlike conventional node-level robust controllers that regulate individual robot inputs without modifying the interaction topology, TOLD updates the interaction topology weights online to directly minimize formation distortion. Two strategies are proposed under the TOLD formation control framework: Online Gradient Flow (OGF) with unconstrained weights and Online Exponential Gradient Flow (OExpGF) with non-negative convex weights. Theoretical analysis establishes that, for single-integrator agents over directed graphs, OExpGF guarantees asymptotic consensus, while OGF ensures bounded formation distortion. Simulations with twelve robots under intermittent disturbances show 1.2%-33.14% median cumulative Root Mean Distortion Error reduction when augmenting TOLD with node-level controllers. Hardware experiments with Crazyflie 2.0 quadrotors demonstrate over 62% (OGF) and 31.4% (OExpGF) reduction in median formation distortion compared to fixed-weight consensus.

Subjects:

Robotics (cs.RO); Systems and Control (eess.SY)

Cite as: arXiv:2606.23901 [cs.RO]

(or arXiv:2606.23901v1 [cs.RO] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2606.23901

arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

Submission history

From: Saksham Sharma [view email] [v1] Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:57:23 UTC (7,516 KB)

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Key points and analysis

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Key points

  • TOLD is the first approach to adjust interaction topology weights online for formation control, rather than modulating individual robot inputs.
  • Two strategies are proposed: OGF (unconstrained weights) and OExpGF (non-negative convex weights), with OExpGF guaranteeing asymptotic consensus.
  • Simulations with 12 robots under disturbances show 1.2%-33.14% median cumulative RMSE reduction when combining TOLD with node-level controllers.
  • Hardware experiments on Crazyflie 2.0 demonstrate over 62% (OGF) and 31.4% (OExpGF) reduction in median formation distortion.

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