SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization, Vol.35, No.3, 766-790, 1997
Configuration Controllability of Simple Mechanical Control-Systems
In this paper we present a definition of "configuration controllability" for mechanical systems whose Lagrangian is kinetic energy with respect to a Riemannian metric minus potential energy. A computable test far this new version of controllability is derived, This condition involves an object which we call the symmetric product. Of particular interest is a definition of "equilibrium controllability" for which we are able to derive computable sufficient conditions. Examples illustrate tile theory.
Keywords:LOCAL-CONTROLLABILITY