Input Dexterity and Output Negotiation in Feedback-Linearizable Nonlinear Systems
Abstract
We introduce a task-relative taxonomy of actuator inputs for nonlinear systems within the input-output feedback-linearization framework. Given a flat output specifying the task, inputs are classified as essential, redundant, or dexterity: essential inputs are required for exact linearization, redundant inputs can be removed without effect, and dexterity inputs can be deactivated while preserving exact linearization of a reduced task. We show that a subset is dexterity if and only if, under a suitable dynamic prolongation, it can appear as additional output channels (flat-input complement) on a common validity set. Whenever a family of systems obtained by (de)activating dexterity inputs admits a common prolongation, the family can be interpreted as a single prolonged system endowed with different output selections. This enables a unified linearizing controller that negotiates between full and reduced tasks without transients on shared outputs under compatibility and dwell-time conditions. Simulations on a fully actuated aerial platform illustrate graceful task downgrades from six-dimensional pose tracking as lateral-force channels are deactivated.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2603.08480,
title = {Input Dexterity and Output Negotiation in Feedback-Linearizable Nonlinear Systems},
author = {Mirko Mizzoni and Pieter van Goor and Barbara Bazzana and Antonio Franchi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.08480},
year = {2026}
}