In this paper mobile robot control laws, including obstacle avoidance based
on distance sensorial information are proposed. The mobile robot is assume
d to evolve in a semi-structured environment. The control systems are based
on the use of the extended impedance concept, in which the relationship be
tween fictitious forces and motion error is regulated. The Fictitious force
s are generated from the information provided by sensors on the distance Fr
om the obstacle to the robot. The control algorithms also prevent from the
potential problem of control command saturation, The paper includes the sta
bility analysis of the developed control systems, using positive definite p
otential Functions.