Meister, David (University of Stuttgart), Strässer, Robin (University of Stuttgart), Brändle, Felix (University of Stuttgart), Seidel, Marc (University of Stuttgart), Bassler, Benno (University of Stuttgart), Gerber, Nathan (University of Stuttgart), Kautz, Jan (University of Stuttgart), Rommel, Elena (University of Stuttgart), Allgöwer, Frank (University of Stuttgart)

Path-following model predictive control for autonomous e-scooters

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "S26b-Motion Planning, Trajectory Optimization, and Control for Autonomous Vehicles" (TH-EA-T26), Thursday, November 20, 2025, 14:50−15:30, Broadbeach 1&2

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on October 18, 2025

Abstract

In order to mitigate economical, ecological, and societal challenges in electric scooter (e-scooter) sharing systems, we develop an autonomous e-scooter prototype. Our vision is to design a fully autonomous prototype that can find its way to the next parking spot, high-demand area, or charging station. In this work, we propose a path-following model predictive control solution to enable localization and navigation in an urban environment with a provided path to follow. We design a closed-loop architecture that solves the localization and path following problem while allowing the e-scooter to maintain its balance with a previously developed reaction wheel mechanism. Our model predictive control approach facilitates state and input constraints, e.g., adhering to the path width, while remaining executable on a Raspberry Pi 5. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach in a real-world experiment on our prototype.