# Momentum-Aware Trajectory Optimisation using Full-Centroidal Dynamics and Implicit Inverse Kinematics

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.06074 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.06074/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 9 Oct 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [MetaSym: A Symplectic Meta-learning Framework for Physical Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.16667/) (2025)
- [GeCCo -- a Generalist Contact-Conditioned Policy for Loco-Manipulation Skills on Legged Robots](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.17582/) (2025)
- [Elastic ODYN: Differentiable Optimization for Infeasible Control and Learning in Robotics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.16564/) (2026)
- [CaLiSym: Learning Symplectic Dynamics of Real-World Systems through Structured Canonical Lifts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.06824/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The current state-of-the-art gradient-based optimisation frameworks are able to produce impressive dynamic manoeuvres such as linear and rotational jumps. However, these methods, which optimise over the full rigid-body dynamics of the robot, often require precise foothold locations apriori, while real-time performance is not guaranteed without elaborate regularisation and tuning of the cost function. In contrast, we investigate the advantages of a task-space optimisation framework, with special focus on acrobatic motions. Our proposed formulation exploits the system's high-order nonlinearities, such as the nonholonomy of the angular momentum, in order to produce feasible, high-acceleration manoeuvres. By leveraging the full-centroidal dynamics of the quadruped ANYmal C and directly optimising its footholds and contact forces, the framework is capable of producing efficient motion plans with low computational overhead. Finally, we deploy our proposed framework on the ANYmal C platform, and demonstrate its true capabilities through real-world experiments, with the successful execution of high-acceleration motions, such as linear and rotational jumps. Extensive analysis of these shows that the robot's dynamics can be exploited to surpass its hardware limitations of having a high mass and low-torque limits.