This paper concerns motion planning and tracking control for an acrobot. We first introduce an artificial friction torque in order to construct a downward trajectory, and rewind it to make an upward trajectory. Then, we combine the upward trajectory with a stabilizing trajectory to make a complete trajectory. Finally, we use the pole assignment method to design a tracking controller that makes the acrobot exponentially track the whole trajectory. This enables the acrobot to be swung up from the straight-down position and stabilized at the straight-up position. Unlike the most commonly used switching stabilization control methods, the strategy presented here features a single controller for motion control in the whole motion space. It is simple and efficient. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the method. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.