scholarly journals A rapidly exploring random tree optimization algorithm for space robotic manipulators guided by obstacle avoidance independent potential field

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 172988141878224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Gao ◽  
Haoxin Wu ◽  
Lin Zhai ◽  
Hanxu Sun ◽  
Qingxuan Jia ◽  
...  

The crucial problem of obstacle avoidance path planning is to realize both reducing the operational cost and improving its efficiency. A rapidly exploring random tree optimization algorithm for space robotic manipulators guided by obstacle avoidance independent potential field is proposed in this article. Firstly, some responding layer factors related to operational cost are used as optimization objective to improve the operational reliability. On this basis, a potential field whose gradient is calculated off-line is established to guide expansion of rapidly exploring random tree. The potential field mainly considers indexes about manipulator itself, such as the minimum singular value of Jacobian matrix, manipulability, condition number, and joint limits of manipulator. Thus, it can stay the same for different obstacle avoidance path planning tasks. In addition, a K-nearest neighbor–based collision detection strategy is integrated for accelerating the algorithm. The strategy use the distance between manipulator and obstacles instead of the collision state of manipulator to estimate the distance between new sample configuration and obstacle. Finally, the proposed algorithm is verified by an 8-degree of freedom manipulator. The comparison between the proposed algorithm and a heuristic exploring–based rapidly exploring random tree indicates that the algorithm can improve the efficiency of path planning and shows better kinematic performance in the task of obstacle avoidance.

Algorithms ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 321
Author(s):  
Qingni Yuan ◽  
Junhui Yi ◽  
Ruitong Sun ◽  
Huan Bai

To improve the path planning efficiency of a robotic arm in three-dimensional space and improve the obstacle avoidance ability, this paper proposes an improved artificial potential field and rapid expansion random tree (APF-RRT) hybrid algorithm for the mechanical arm path planning method. The improved APF algorithm (I-APF) introduces a heuristic method based on the number of adjacent obstacles to escape from local minima, which solves the local minimum problem of the APF method and improves the search speed. The improved RRT algorithm (I-RRT) changes the selection method of the nearest neighbor node by introducing a triangular nearest neighbor node selection method, adopts an adaptive step and generates a virtual new node strategy to explore the path, and removes redundant path nodes generated by the RRT algorithm, which effectively improves the obstacle avoidance ability and efficiency of the algorithm. Bezier curves are used to fit the final generated path. Finally, an experimental analysis based on Python shows that the search time of the hybrid algorithm in a multi-obstacle environment is reduced to 2.8 s from 37.8 s (classic RRT algorithm), 10.1 s (RRT* algorithm), and 7.4 s (P_RRT* algorithm), and the success rate and efficiency of the search are both significantly improved. Furthermore, the hybrid algorithm is simulated in a robot operating system (ROS) using the UR5 mechanical arm, and the results prove the effectiveness and reliability of the hybrid algorithm.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 172988142110264
Author(s):  
Jiqing Chen ◽  
Chenzhi Tan ◽  
Rongxian Mo ◽  
Hongdu Zhang ◽  
Ganwei Cai ◽  
...  

Among the shortcomings of the A* algorithm, for example, there are many search nodes in path planning, and the calculation time is long. This article proposes a three-neighbor search A* algorithm combined with artificial potential fields to optimize the path planning problem of mobile robots. The algorithm integrates and improves the partial artificial potential field and the A* algorithm to address irregular obstacles in the forward direction. The artificial potential field guides the mobile robot to move forward quickly. The A* algorithm of the three-neighbor search method performs accurate obstacle avoidance. The current pose vector of the mobile robot is constructed during obstacle avoidance, the search range is narrowed to less than three neighbors, and repeated searches are avoided. In the matrix laboratory environment, grid maps with different obstacle ratios are compared with the A* algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed improved algorithm avoids concave obstacle traps and shortens the path length, thus reducing the search time and the number of search nodes. The average path length is shortened by 5.58%, the path search time is shortened by 77.05%, and the number of path nodes is reduced by 88.85%. The experimental results fully show that the improved A* algorithm is effective and feasible and can provide optimal results.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianying Xu ◽  
Haibo Zhou ◽  
Shuaixia Tan ◽  
Zhiqiang Li ◽  
Xia Ju ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to resolve issues of the traditional artificial potential field method, such as falling into local minima, low success rate and lack of ability to sense the obstacle shapes in the planning process. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, an improved artificial potential field method is proposed, where the object can leave the local minima point, where the algorithm falls into, while it avoids the obstacle, following a shorter feasible path along the repulsive equipotential surface, which is locally optimized. The whole obstacle avoidance process is based on the improved artificial potential field method, applied during the mechanical arm path planning action, along the motion from the starting point to the target point. Findings Simulation results show that the algorithm in this paper can effectively perceive the obstacle shape in all the selected cases and can effectively shorten the distance of the planned path by 13%–41% with significantly higher planning efficiency compared with the improved artificial potential field method based on rapidly-exploring random tree. The experimental results show that the improved artificial potential field method can effectively plan a smooth collision-free path for the object, based on an algorithm with good environmental adaptability. Originality/value An improved artificial potential field method is proposed for optimized obstacle avoidance path planning of a mechanical arm in three-dimensional space. This new approach aims to resolve issues of the traditional artificial potential field method, such as falling into local minima, low success rate and lack of ability to sense the obstacle shapes in the planning process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 172988141989897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinan Zhu ◽  
Weiyi Zhu ◽  
Xueqin Zhang ◽  
Tao Cao

Path planning of lunar robots is the guarantee that lunar robots can complete tasks safely and accurately. Aiming at the shortest path and the least energy consumption, an adaptive potential field ant colony algorithm suitable for path planning of lunar robot is proposed to solve the problems of slow convergence speed and easy to fall into local optimum of ant colony algorithm. This algorithm combines the artificial potential field method with ant colony algorithm, introduces the inducement heuristic factor, and adjusts the state transition rule of the ant colony algorithm dynamically, so that the algorithm has higher global search ability and faster convergence speed. After getting the planned path, a dynamic obstacle avoidance strategy is designed according to the predictable and unpredictable obstacles. Especially a geometric method based on moving route is used to detect the unpredictable obstacles and realize the avoidance of dynamic obstacles. The experimental results show that the improved adaptive potential field ant colony algorithm has higher global search ability and faster convergence speed. The designed obstacle avoidance strategy can effectively judge whether there will be collision and take obstacle avoidance measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ming Zhao ◽  
Xiaoqing Lv

Aiming at the existing artificial potential field method, it still has the defects of easy to fall into local extremum, low success rate and unsatisfactory path when solving the problem of obstacle avoidance path planning of manipulator. An improved method for avoiding obstacle path of manipulator is proposed. First, the manipulator is subjected to invisible obstacle processing to reduce the possibility of its own collision. Second, establish dynamic virtual target points to enhance the predictive ability of the manipulator to the road ahead. Then, the artificial potential field method is used to guide the manipulator movement. When the manipulator is in a local extreme or oscillating, the extreme point jump-out function is used in real time to make the end point of the manipulator produce small displacements and change the action direction to effectively jump out of the dilemma. Finally, the manipulator is controlled to avoid all obstacles and move smoothly to form a spatial optimization path from the start point to the end point. The simulation experiment shows that the proposed method is more suitable for complex working environment and effectively improves the success rate of manipulator path planning, which provides a reference for further developing the application of manipulator in complex environment.


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