Multi-body kinematics and dynamics in terms of quaternions: Langrange formulation in covariant form: Rodriguez approach

This paper suggests a quaternion approach for the modeling kinematics and dynamics of rigid multi-body systems. Instead of the regular 'Newton-Euler' and Lagrange method used in the traditional way, Lagrange's equations of second kind in the covariant form are used by applying Rodriguez approach and quaternion algebra. A model of multi-body system of n rigid bodies in terms of quaternions is obtained, which is useful for studying kinematics, dynamics as well as for research of control system designs.