We present an algorithm to generate a smooth curve interpolating a set of data on an -dimensional ellipsoid, which is given in closed form. This is inspired by an algorithm based on a rolling and wrapping technique, described in [11] for data on a general manifold embedded in Euclidean space. Since the ellipsoid can be embedded in an Euclidean space, this algorithm can be implemented, at least theoretically. However, one of the basic steps of that algorithm consists in rolling the ellipsoid, over...
This paper deals with integrability issues of the Euler-Lagrange equations associated to a variational problem, where the energy function depends on acceleration and drag. Although the motivation came from applications to path planning of underwater robot manipulators, the approach is rather theoretical and the main difficulties result from the fact that the power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of its speed.
We study rolling maps of the Euclidean ellipsoid, rolling upon its affine tangent space at a point. Driven by the geometry of rolling maps, we find a simple formula for the angular velocity of the rolling ellipsoid along any piecewise smooth curve in terms of the Gauss map. This result is then generalised to rolling any smooth hyper-surface. On the way, we derive a formula for the Gaussian curvature of an ellipsoid which has an elementary proof and has been previously known only for dimension two....
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