Introduction to geometric control. Translated from the Russian (Q2082075)

The book is an English translation of ``Geometric control theory'', published in Russian, in 2021. From the Preface: ``This is a short introductory course on geometric control theory with emphasis on controllability and optimal control problems. This direction of mathematical control theory originated in the 1970s.'' The book consists of 4 chapters, as follows. Chapter 1, entitled ``Introduction'', contains 3 sections: 1.1 Statement of control problems; 1.2 Smooth manifolds, vector fields, and Lie groups; 1.3 Exercises. Chapter 2, entitled ``Controllability problems'', consists of 3 sections: 2.1 Controllability; 2.2 The orbit theorem; 2.3 Attainable sets of full-rank systems. Chapter 3, entitled ``Optimal control problem'', consists of 4 sections: 3.1 Optimal control problems. Statement and existence of solutions; 3.2 The Pontryagin maximum principle; 3.3 Sub-Riemannian geometry; 3.4 A symmetry method for construction of optimal synthesis. Chapter 4, entitled ``Solutions to optimal control problems'', consists of 5 sections: 4.1 The sub-Riemannian problem on the Heisenberg group; 4.2 The sub-Riemannian problem on the group of motions of the plane; 4.3 Euler's elasticae; 4.4 The sub-Riemannian problem on the Engel group; 4.5 Exercises. The above list gives an idea about the topics covered by this book. The book also contains an Appendix on ``Elliptic integrals, functions and equation of pendulum'', a Bibliography, and an Index. Notice that the book is intended for students and researchers in the field, who are interested in geometric methods.