Fuzzy logic techniques for navigation of several mobile robots

In this paper, navigation techniques for several mobile robots as many as one thousand robots using fuzzy logic are investigated in a totally unknown environment. Fuzzy logic controllers (FLC) using different membership functions are developed and used to navigate mobile robots. First a fuzzy controller has been used with four types of input members, two types of output members and three parameters each. Next two types of fuzzy controllers have been developed having same input members and output members with five parameters each. Each robot has an array of ultrasonic sensors for measuring the distances of obstacles around it and an infrared sensor for detecting the bearing of the target. These techniques have been demonstrated in various exercises, which depicts that the robots are able to avoid obstacles as well as negotiate the dead ends and reach the targets efficiently. Amongst the techniques developed, FLC having Gaussian membership function is found to be most efficient for mobile robots navigation.     

Autonomous smart robot for path predicting and finding in maze based on fuzzy and neuro‐Fuzzy approaches

The navigation of autonomous mobile robots has in recent times gained interest from many researchers in different areas such as the industrial, agricultural, and military sectors. This paper aims at carefully investigating two advanced types of approaches for guiding a non‐holonomic mobile robot to navigate in an environment area cluttered with static obstacles. Firstly, a Fuzzy logic controller (FLC) was designed, using trapezoidal shape Membership functions (MF's). Secondly, an Adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) controller was used to optimize the results obtained from trapezoidal fuzzy controller. To validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed models, V‐REP and MATLAB software are used. A comparative evaluation is, then, done on the basis of speed. The simulations results showed that the mobile robot could navigate successfully into maze environment with both proposed approaches but ANFIS controller provided better results in comparison to fuzzy controller.     

Path planning of wheeled mobile robot with simultaneous free space locating capability

This paper presents a hybrid path planning algorithm for the design of autonomous vehicles such as mobile robots. The hybrid planner is based on Potential Field method and Voronoi Diagram approach and is represented with the ability of concurrent navigation and map building. The system controller (Look-ahead Control) with the Potential Field method guarantees the robot generate a smooth and safe path to an expected position. The Voronoi Diagram approach is adopted for the purpose of helping the mobile robot to avoid being trapped by concave environment while exploring a route to a target. This approach allows the mobile robot to accomplish an autonomous navigation task with only an essential exploration between a start and goal position. Based on the existing topological map the mobile robot is able to construct sub-goals between predefined start and goal, and follows a smooth and safe trajectory in a flexible manner when stationary and moving obstacles co-exist.     

Mobile Robots Navigation Modeling in Known 2D Environment Based on Petri Nets

The paper deals with supervised robot navigation in known environments. The navigation task is divided into two parts, where one part of the navigation is done by the supervisor system i.e. the system sets the vector marks on the salient edges of the virtual environment map and guides the robot to reach these marks. Mobile robots have to perform a specific task according to the given paths and solve the local obstacles avoidance individually. The salient point’s detection, vector mark estimation and optimal path calculation are done on the supervisor computer using colored Petri nets. The proposed approach was extended to simulate a flexible manufacturing system consisting of swarm of 17 robots, 17 - warehouses and 17 - manufacturing places. Our experimental investigation showed that simulated mobile robots with proposed supervision system were efficiently moving on the planned path.     

The stable and precise motion control for multiple mobile robots

Intelligent path planning of multiple mobile robots has been addressed in this paper. Cooperative behaviour can be achieved using several mobile robots, which require online inter-communication among themselves. In the present investigation rule-based and rule-based-neuro-fuzzy techniques are analyzed for multiple mobile robots navigation in an unknown or partially known environment. The final aims of the robots are to reach some pre-defined goals. Based upon a reference motion, direction; distances between the robots and obstacles; distances between the robots and targets; different types of rules are taken heuristically and refined later to find the steering angle. The control system combines a repelling influence related to the distance between robots and nearby obstacles and with an attracting influence between the robots and targets. Then a hybrid rule-based-neuro-fuzzy technique is analyzed to find the steering angle of the robots. Results show that the proposed rule-based-neuro-fuzzy technique can improve navigation performance in complex and unknown environments compared to this simple rule-based technique.     

Path planning strategy for autonomous mobile robot navigation using Petri-GA optimisation

In this paper, a novel knowledge based genetic algorithm (GA) for path planning of multiple robots for multiple targets seeking behaviour in presence of obstacles is proposed. GA technique has been incorporated in Petri-Net model to make an integrated navigational controller. The proposed algorithm is based upon an iterative non-linear search, which utilises matches between observed geometry of the environment and a priori map of position locations, to estimate a suitable heading angle, there by correcting the position and orientation of the robots to find targets. This knowledge based GA is capable of finding an optimal or near optimal robot path in complex environments. The Petri-GA model can handle inter robot collision avoidance more effectively than the stand alone GA. The resulting navigation algorithm has been implemented on real mobile robots and tested in various environments to validate the developed control scheme.     

Design of a PID optimized neural networks and PD fuzzy logic controllers for a two‐wheeled mobile robot

In this paper, two intelligent techniques for a two‐wheeled differential mobile robot are designed and presented: A smart PID optimized neural networks based controller (SNNPIDC) and a PD fuzzy logic controller (PDFLC). Basically, mobile robots are required to work and navigate under exigent circumstances where the environment is hostile, full of disturbances such as holes and stones. The robot navigation leads to an autonomous decision making to overcome an obstacle and/or to stop the engine to protect it. In fact, the actuators that drive the robot should in no way be damaged and should stop to change direction in case of insurmountable disturbances. In this context, two controllers are implemented and a comparative study is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. For the first one, neural networks are used to optimize the parameters of a PID controller and for the second a fuzzy inference system type Mamdani based controller is adopted. The goal is to implement control algorithms for safe robot navigation while avoiding damage to the motors. In these two control cases, the smart robot has to quickly perform tasks and adapt to changing environment conditions while ensuring stability and accuracy and must be autonomous with regards to decision making. Simulations results aren't done in real environments, but are obtained with the Matlab/Simulink environment in which holes and stones are modeled by different load torques and are applied as disturbances on the mobile robot environment. These simulation results and the robot performances are satisfactory and are compared to a PID controller in which parameters are tuned by the Ziegler–Nichols tuning method. The applied methods have proven to be highly robust.     

Reactive navigation in dynamic environment using a multisensorpredictor

A reactive navigation system for an autonomous mobile robot in unstructured dynamic environments is presented. The motion of moving obstacles is estimated for robot motion planning and obstacle avoidance. A multisensor-based obstacle predictor is utilized to obtain obstacle-motion information. Sensory data from a CCD camera and multiple ultrasonic range finders are combined to predict obstacle positions at the next sampling instant. A neural network, which is trained off-line, provides the desired prediction on-line in real time. The predicted obstacle configuration is employed by the proposed virtual force based navigation method to prevent collision with moving obstacles. Simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed navigation system in an environment with multiple mobile robots or moving objects. This system was implemented and tested on an experimental mobile robot at our laboratory. Navigation results in real environment are presented and analyzed.     

A 3-level autonomous mobile robot navigation system designed by using reasoning/search approaches

This paper describes how soft computing methodologies such as fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms and the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence can be applied in a mobile robot navigation system. The navigation system that is considered has three navigation subsystems. The lower-level subsystem deals with the control of linear and angular volocities using a multivariable PI controller described with a full matrix. The position control of the mobile robot is at a medium level and is nonlinear. The nonlinear control design is implemented by a backstepping algorithm whose parameters are adjusted by a genetic algorithm. We propose a new extension of the controller mentioned, in order to rapidly decrease the control torques needed to achieve the desired position and orientation of the mobile robot. The high-level subsystem uses fuzzy logic and the Dempster–Shafer evidence theory to design a fusion of sensor data, map building, and path planning tasks. The fuzzy/evidence navigation based on the building of a local map, represented as an occupancy grid, with the time update is proven to be suitable for real-time applications. The path planning algorithm is based on a modified potential field method. In this algorithm, the fuzzy rules for selecting the relevant obstacles for robot motion are introduced. Also, suitable steps are taken to pull the robot out of the local minima. Particular attention is paid to detection of the robot’s trapped state and its avoidance. One of the main issues in this paper is to reduce the complexity of planning algorithms and minimize the cost of the search. The performance of the proposed system is investigated using a dynamic model of a mobile robot. Simulation results show a good quality of position tracking capabilities and obstacle avoidance behavior of the mobile robot.     

An algorithm for safe navigation of mobile robots by a sensor network in dynamic cluttered industrial environments

Mobile robots have been widely implemented in industrial automation and smart factories. Different types of mobile robots work cooperatively in the workspace to complete some complicated tasks. Therefore, the main requirement for multi-robot systems is collision-free navigation in dynamic environments. In this paper, we propose a sensor network based navigation system for ground mobile robots in dynamic industrial cluttered environments. A range finder sensor network is deployed on factory floor to detect any obstacles in the field of view and perform a global navigation for any robots simultaneously travelling in the factory. The obstacle detection and robot navigation are integrated into the sensor network and the robot is only required for a low-level path tracker. The novelty of this paper is to propose a sensor network based navigation system with a novel artificial potential field (APF) based navigation algorithm. Computer simulations and experiments confirm the performance of the proposed method.     

基于激光雷达的动态障碍物实时检测

动态障碍的存在直接影响到环境地图的构建精度,可靠实时地检测出动态障碍物是未知环境下移动机器人构建环境地图的根本前提。基于2D激光雷达传感器,提出了一种移动机器人在未知环境下实时检测动态障碍物的方法。将激光雷达的观测数据经过滤波映射到世界坐标系,构建相邻采样时刻的三幅栅格地图;判断相邻时刻三幅栅格地图上对应栅格的占用状态,确定环境中的静态障碍物,以静态障碍物为参考,根据当前的栅格地图可以检测出环境中的动态障碍物。基于激光雷达时空关联性分析,采用八邻域滚动窗口的方法处理不确定性因素。在实际移动机器人MORCS-1上进行的实验结果表明,该方法可使移动机器人准确有效地检测出未知环境中的动态障碍物,实时性好,可靠性高。     

Navigation strategy of multiple mobile robot systems based on the null-space projection method

This paper deals with a navigation algorithm for swarm robot systems in which multiple mobile robots work together. The motion of each mobile robot is modeled in such a way to have more inputs than the number of outputs. The null-space projection method of this model is employed to resolve the motion of the swarm robot system while avoiding obstacles. The feasibility of the proposed navigation algorithm is verified through a simulation study using several swarm robot models.     

Quadruped robot trotting over irregular terrain assisted by stereo-vision

Legged robots have the potential to navigate in challenging terrain, and thus to exceed the mobility of wheeled vehicles. However, their control is more difficult as legged robots need to deal with foothold computation, leg trajectories and posture control in order to achieve successful navigation. In this paper, we present a new framework for the hydraulic quadruped robot HyQ, which performs goal-oriented navigation on unknown rough terrain using inertial measurement data and stereo-vision. This work uses our previously presented reactive controller framework with balancing control and extends it with visual feedback to enable closed-loop gait adjustment. On one hand, the camera images are used to keep the robot walking towards a visual target by correcting its heading angle if the robot deviates from it. On the other hand, the stereo camera is used to estimate the size of the obstacles on the ground plane and thus the terrain roughness. The locomotion controller then adjusts the step height and the velocity according to the size of the obstacles. This results in a robust and autonomous goal-oriented navigation over difficult terrain while subject to disturbances from the ground irregularities or external forces. Indoor and outdoor experiments with our quadruped robot show the effectiveness of this framework.     

一种新颖的基于二分法和模糊控制的移动机器人避障系统

针对超声波传感器波束角窄导致移动机器人存在避障盲区的现状,研究了一种新颖的超声波避障系统。该系统采用六个超声波传感器构成特别设计的超声波阵列,实现无盲区检测中大型移动机器人前方及左右两侧障碍物的位置,充分保障运行安全性;同时在避障算法上,采用二分法和模糊控制相结合的控制算法,简化了模糊控制规则使系统具有很好的智能性和实时性,实现了移动机器人选择最佳避障路径并对新增的动态障碍物进行避障。将此避障控制系统应用于移动机器人上,实验结果表明：在未知环境下,实现对移动机器人周边的无盲区检测,并且能够实时根据周围障碍物的动态情况选择最佳避障路径,避免了其它避障控制算法中易出现的误避障和二次避障的情况。     

Mobile robot navigation in a partially structured static environment, using neural predictive control

This paper presents a way of implementing a model-based predictive controller (MBPC) for mobile robot navigation when unexpected static obstacles are present in the robot environment. The method uses a nonlinear model of mobile robot dynamics, and thus allows an accurate prediction of the future trajectories. An ultrasonic ranging system has been used for obstacle detection. A multilayer perceptron is used to implement the MBPC, allowing real-time implementation and also eliminating the need for high-level data sensor processing. The perceptron has been trained in a supervised manner to reproduce the MBPC behaviour. Experimental results obtained when applying the neural-network controller to a TRC Labmate mobile robot are given in the paper.     

基于几何法的移动机器人路径规划

旨在解决动态环境中移动机器人与障碍物发生碰撞可能性的判断和避开障碍的路径规划。提出了采用几何计算的方法判断机器人和障碍物之间发生碰撞的条件,规划出机器人沿着收敛曲线运动到安全圆周,在安全圆周上作动态圆周运动,最后沿着圆弧退出圆周到达预定的避障路径。将基本的避开障碍的理论和几何算法有机地结合起来,获得了光滑的路径,提高了机器人避开障碍的效率。     

移动机器人非视觉传感器及其信号处理方法

非视觉传感器是机器人认识和了解外部环境的重要途径，移动机器人常用的非视觉 传感器包括超声、红外、接近传感器等．这些传感器大多是以环或阵列的形式出现，因此其 信号处理往往要占用机器人大量的CPU时间．本文提出了一种采用多DSP控制和处理各类非视 觉传感器的方法，给出了传感器信号处理的原理和具体实现．同时我们引入了并行处理的机 制，各类传感器信号处理可同时进行，在很大程度上提高了机器人传感器信号处理的速度， 有利于机器人在实时动态环境中运行．并给出了非视觉传感器信号处理的实验结果，验证了 该方法的有效性．      

多移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制系统设计与实现

针对轮式移动机器人的轨迹跟踪控制问题,在分析了机器人运动学模型的基础上,构建多机器人的领航-追随模型;采用跟踪微分器在输入输出两端安排过渡过程,设计了一种基于多变量解耦的非线性PID轨迹跟踪控制器;搭建以Arduino Mega 1280控制板为核心的移动机器人实验平台,采用速度PID控制器以满足机器人驱动电机的实时调速要求,基于ROS提出一种结构化和模块化的多机器人控制系统;在此基础上进行实验,并将实验结果与传统PID方法控制的实验结果进行对比;实验结果验证了文章所提算法的有效性,控制器易于实现且具有一定的鲁棒性。     

Path planning of fire-escaping system for intelligent building

We present the path-planning techniques of the fire-escaping system for intelligent building, and use multiple mobile robots to present the experimental scenario. The fire-escaping system contains a supervised computer, an experimental platform, some fire-detection robots and some navigation robots. The mobile robot has the shape of a cylinder, and its diameter, height and weight are 10?cm, 15?cm and 1.5?kg, respectively. The mobile robot contains a controller module, two DC servomotors (including drivers), three IR sensor modules, a voice module and a wireless RF module. The controller of the mobile robot acquires the detection signals from reflective IR sensors through I/O pins and receives the command from the supervised computer via wireless RF interface. The fire-detection robot carries the flame sensor to detect fire sources moving on the grid-based experiment platform, and calculates the more safety escaping path using piecewise cubic Bezier curve on all probability escaping motion paths. Then the user interface uses A* searching algorithm to program escaping motion path to approach the Bezier curve on the grid-based platform. The navigation robot guides people moving to the safety area or exit door using the programmed escaping motion path. In the experimental results, the supervised computer programs the escaping paths using the proposed algorithms and presents movement scenario using the multiple smart mobile robots on the experimental platform. In the experimental scenario, the user interface transmits the motion command to the mobile robots moving on the grid-based platform, and locates the positions of fire sources by the fire-detection robots. The navigation robot guides people leaving the fire sources using the low-risk escaping motion path and moves to the exit door.