Modeling of underactuated mechanical systems in partly specified motion

This paper deals with the inverse dynamics problem of underactuated mechanical systems subjected to execute partly specified motions. The modeling methodology focuses on a special class of differentially flat systems, represented by a group of relevant technical examples. The governing equations are obtained as index three differential-algebraic equations, and a simple numerical code for their solution is reported. The solution comprises both the dynamic analysis of the underactuated systems in partly specified motion and the synthesis of control that assures realization of such motion.