Novel Adaptive Path-Smoothening Optimization Method for Mobile Robots

Abstract

A safe and smooth operating path is a prerequisite for mobile robots to accomplish tasks. Although the existing path optimization methods improve the smoothness of the planned path by introducing Bezier curve to locally optimize the path with regard to turning points, most of these methods manually select the position of control points and subjectively analyze the feasibility of the optimized path. It is argued unfavorably that it exhibits strong subjectivity and cumbersome selection process. To fill this gap, an adaptive path-smoothening optimization method is proposed in this study, which combines neural network, genetic algorithm, and Bezier curve to transform the path smoothing problem into an optimization problem. It rapidly determines the position of the optimal control point based on comprehension of constraints, e.g., path safety, curvature and kinematic restrains of the robot. The currently proposed method resolves the long-standing problems of strong subjectivity, cumbersome steps, and thus low efficiency in the selection process of control points, and lays the theoretical groundwork for smoothening the locus and path. To start with, according to the actual working conditions, the dataset corresponding to the position of the control point and the path deviation is constructed, and the neural network algorithm is used to solve the prediction model of the path deviation, so as to obtain the mapping relationship between the length and included angle of the control edge in the second-order Bezier curve and the path deviation. Subsequently, with reference to the prediction model of path deviation, a reliability evaluation function is formulated by comprehending multiple influential factors of mobile robot motion safety and path smoothness. The genetic algorithm is then introduced to detect the satisfactory control points in different environments. The currently proposed method is verified by experiments in different operating environments. The study results show that the currently proposed adaptive path-smoothening optimization method exhibits remarkably superior applicability and effectiveness compared to the currently prevailing methods. It demonstrates advantages of fast path planning, reduced path turning points, and desirable path smoothness. In addition, it can also ensure the safety of mobile robot along the planned path as availed by a pre-set criterion.