scholarly journals Path Planning Followed by Kinodynamic Smoothing for Multirotor Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-505
Author(s):  
G. Kulathunga ◽  
◽  
D. Devitt ◽  
R. Fedorenko ◽  
A. Klimchik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Motion Planning ◽  
Free Path ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Feasible Path ◽  
Straight Lines ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

Any obstacle-free path planning algorithm, in general, gives a sequence of waypoints that connect start and goal positions by a sequence of straight lines, which does not ensure the smoothness and the dynamic feasibility to maneuver the MAV. Kinodynamic-based motion planning is one of the ways to impose dynamic feasibility in planning. However, kinodynamic motion planning is not an optimal solution due to high computational demands for real-time applications. Thus, we explore path planning followed by kinodynamic smoothing while ensuring the dynamic feasibility of MAV. The main difference in the proposed technique is not to use kinodynamic planning when finding a feasible path, but rather to apply kinodynamic smoothing along the obtained feasible path. We have chosen a geometric-based path planning algorithm “RRT*” as the path finding algorithm. In the proposed technique, we modified the original RRT* introducing an adaptive search space and a steering function that helps to increase the consistency of the planner. Moreover, we propose a multiple RRT* that generates a set of desired paths. The optimal path from the generated paths is selected based on a cost function. Afterwards, we apply kinodynamic smoothing that will result in a dynamically feasible as well as obstacle-free path. Thereafter, a b-spline-based trajectory is generated to maneuver the vehicle autonomously in unknown environments. Finally, we have tested the proposed technique in various simulated environments. According to the experiment results, we were able to speed up the path planning task by 1.3 times when using the proposed multiple RRT* over the original RRT*.

Constrained coverage path planning: evolutionary and classical approaches

Robotica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Ahmadi ◽  
H. Kebriaei ◽  
H. Moradi
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Artificial Potential Field ◽  
Coverage Path Planning ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Adaptive Operator Selection ◽  
Coverage Function ◽  
Feasible Path ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

SUMMARYThe constrained coverage path planning addressed in this paper refers to finding an optimal path traversed by a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to maximize its coverage on a designated area, considering the time limit and the feasibility of the path. The UAV starts from its current position to assess the condition of a new entry to the area. Nevertheless, the UAV needs to comply with the coverage task, simultaneously and therefore, it is likely that the optimal policy would not be the shortest path in such a condition, since a wider area can be covered through a longer path. From the other side, along with a longer path, the UAV may not reach to the target in due time. In addition, the speed of UAV is assumed to be constant and as a result, a feasible path needs to be smooth enough to support this assumption. The problem is modeled as an Epsilon-constraint optimization in which a coverage function has to be maximized, considering the constraints on the length and the smoothness of the path. For this purpose, a new genetic path planning algorithm with adaptive operator selection is proposed to solve such a complicated constrained optimization problem. The proposed approach has been compared to some classical approaches like, a modified version of the Artificial Potential Field and a modified version of Dijkstra's algorithm (a graph-based approach). All the methods are implemented and tested in different scenarios and their performances are evaluated via the simulation results.

scholarly journals A 2D Optimal Path Planning Algorithm for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Driving in Unknown Underwater Canyons

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Yushan Sun ◽  
Xiaokun Luo ◽  
Xiangrui Ran ◽  
Guocheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Obstacle Avoidance ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Target Point ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
Policy Gradient ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

This research aims to solve the safe navigation problem of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in deep ocean, which is a complex and changeable environment with various mountains. When an AUV reaches the deep sea navigation, it encounters many underwater canyons, and the hard valley walls threaten its safety seriously. To solve the problem on the safe driving of AUV in underwater canyons and address the potential of AUV autonomous obstacle avoidance in uncertain environments, an improved AUV path planning algorithm based on the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm is proposed in this work. This method refers to an end-to-end path planning algorithm that optimizes the strategy directly. It takes sensor information as input and driving speed and yaw angle as outputs. The path planning algorithm can reach the predetermined target point while avoiding large-scale static obstacles, such as valley walls in the simulated underwater canyon environment, as well as sudden small-scale dynamic obstacles, such as marine life and other vehicles. In addition, this research aims at the multi-objective structure of the obstacle avoidance of path planning, modularized reward function design, and combined artificial potential field method to set continuous rewards. This research also proposes a new algorithm called deep SumTree-deterministic policy gradient algorithm (SumTree-DDPG), which improves the random storage and extraction strategy of DDPG algorithm experience samples. According to the importance of the experience samples, the samples are classified and stored in combination with the SumTree structure, high-quality samples are extracted continuously, and SumTree-DDPG algorithm finally improves the speed of the convergence model. Finally, this research uses Python language to write an underwater canyon simulation environment and builds a deep reinforcement learning simulation platform on a high-performance computer to conduct simulation learning training for AUV. Data simulation verified that the proposed path planning method can guide the under-actuated underwater robot to navigate to the target without colliding with any obstacles. In comparison with the DDPG algorithm, the stability, training’s total reward, and robustness of the improved Sumtree-DDPG algorithm planner in this study are better.

Optimal Collision-Free Path Planning for an Autonomous Multi-Wheeled Combat Vehicle

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Mohamed ◽  
Moustafa El-Gindy ◽  
Jing Ren ◽  
Haoxiang Lang
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Vehicle Dynamics ◽  
Autonomous Vehicle ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Vehicle Model ◽  
Optimal Path Planning ◽  
Combat Vehicle ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

This paper presents an optimal collision-free path planning algorithm of an autonomous multi-wheeled combat vehicle using optimal control theory and artificial potential field function (APF). The optimal path of the autonomous vehicle between a given starting and goal points is generated by an optimal path planning algorithm. The cost function of the path planning is solved together with vehicle dynamics equations to satisfy the vehicle dynamics constraints and the boundary conditions. For this purpose, a simplified four-axle bicycle model of the actual vehicle considering the vehicle body lateral and yaw dynamics while neglecting roll dynamics is used. The obstacle avoidance technique is mathematically modeled based on the proposed sigmoid function as the artificial potential field method. This potential function is assigned to each obstacle as a repulsive potential field. The inclusion of these potential fields results in a new APF which controls the steering angle of the autonomous vehicle to reach the goal point. A full nonlinear multi-wheeled combat vehicle model in TruckSim software is used for validation. This is done by importing the generated optimal path data from the introduced optimal path planning MATLAB algorithm and comparing lateral acceleration, yaw rate and curvature at different speeds (9 km/h, 28 km/h) for both simplified and TruckSim vehicle model. The simulation results show that the obtained optimal path for the autonomous multi-wheeled combat vehicle satisfies all vehicle dynamics constraints and successfully validated with TruckSim vehicle model.

scholarly journals NPQ-RRT ∗ : An Improved RRT ∗ Approach to Hybrid Path Planning

Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Zihan Yu ◽  
Linying Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Random Trees ◽  
Target Point ◽  
Evaluation Function ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Window Approach ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

In recent years, the path planning of robot has been a hot research direction, and multirobot formation has practical application prospect in our life. This article proposes a hybrid path planning algorithm applied to robot formation. The improved Rapidly Exploring Random Trees algorithm PQ-RRT ∗ with new distance evaluation function is used as a global planning algorithm to generate the initial global path. The determined parent nodes and child nodes are used as the starting points and target points of the local planning algorithm, respectively. The dynamic window approach is used as the local planning algorithm to avoid dynamic obstacles. At the same time, the algorithm restricts the movement of robots inside the formation to avoid internal collisions. The local optimal path is selected by the evaluation function containing the possibility of formation collision. Therefore, multiple mobile robots can quickly and safely reach the global target point in a complex environment with dynamic and static obstacles through the hybrid path planning algorithm. Numerical simulations are given to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed hybrid path planning algorithm.

An Efficient Path-Planning Algorithm for a Robotic Manipulator by Automatic Selection Search of Indispensable Regions in Its Configuration Space

1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-385
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Noborio ◽  
◽  
Motohiko Watanabe ◽  
Takeshi Fujii
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Motion Planning ◽  
Configuration Space ◽  
Robotic Manipulator ◽  
Joint Space ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Continuous Sequence ◽  
Angle Difference ◽  
Planning Algorithm ◽  
Path Planning Algorithm

In this paper, we propose a feasible motion planning algorithm for a robotic manipulator and its obstacles. The algorithm quickly selects a feasible sequence of collision-free motions while adaptively expanding a graph in the implicit configuration joint-space. In the configuration graph, each arc represents an angle difference of the manipulator joint; therefore, an arc sequence represents a continuous sequence of robot motions. Thus, the algorithm can execute a continuous sequence of collision-free motions. Furthermore, the algorithm expands the configuration graph only in space which is to be cluttered in the implicit configuration joint-space and which is needed to select a collision-free sequence between the initial and target positions/orientations. The algorithm maintains the configuration graph in a small size and quickly selects a collision-free sequence from the configuration graph, whose shape is to be simple enough to move the manipulator in practical applications.

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