Effective Underwater Glider Path Planning in Dynamic 3D Environments Using Multi-Point Potential Fields

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Yang, Hanzhi, Mahmoudian, Nina
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Yang, Hanzhi
Mahmoudian, Nina
author_facet Yang, Hanzhi
Mahmoudian, Nina
contents Underwater gliders (UGs) have emerged as highly effective unmanned vehicles for ocean exploration. However, their operation in dynamic and complex underwater environments necessitates robust path-planning strategies. Previous studies have primarily focused on global energy or time-efficient path planning in explored environments, overlooking challenges posed by unpredictable flow conditions and unknown obstacles in varying and dynamic areas like fjords and near-harbor waters. This paper introduces and improves a real-time path planning method, Multi-Point Potential Field (MPPF), tailored for UGs operating in 3D space as they are constrained by buoyancy propulsion and internal actuation. The proposed MPPF method addresses obstacles, flow fields, and local minima, enhancing the efficiency and robustness of UG path planning. A low-cost prototype, the Research Oriented Underwater Glider for Hands-on Investigative Engineering (ROUGHIE), is utilized for validation. Through case studies and simulations, the efficacy of the enhanced MPPF method is demonstrated, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in underwater exploration.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2403_08163
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Effective Underwater Glider Path Planning in Dynamic 3D Environments Using Multi-Point Potential Fields
Yang, Hanzhi
Mahmoudian, Nina
Robotics
Underwater gliders (UGs) have emerged as highly effective unmanned vehicles for ocean exploration. However, their operation in dynamic and complex underwater environments necessitates robust path-planning strategies. Previous studies have primarily focused on global energy or time-efficient path planning in explored environments, overlooking challenges posed by unpredictable flow conditions and unknown obstacles in varying and dynamic areas like fjords and near-harbor waters. This paper introduces and improves a real-time path planning method, Multi-Point Potential Field (MPPF), tailored for UGs operating in 3D space as they are constrained by buoyancy propulsion and internal actuation. The proposed MPPF method addresses obstacles, flow fields, and local minima, enhancing the efficiency and robustness of UG path planning. A low-cost prototype, the Research Oriented Underwater Glider for Hands-on Investigative Engineering (ROUGHIE), is utilized for validation. Through case studies and simulations, the efficacy of the enhanced MPPF method is demonstrated, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in underwater exploration.
title Effective Underwater Glider Path Planning in Dynamic 3D Environments Using Multi-Point Potential Fields
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.08163