GODZILA: A low-resource algorithm for path planning in unknown environments

P. Krishnamurthy, Farshad Khorrami

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel path-planning and obstacle avoidance algorithm GODZILA for navigation in unknown environments. No prior knowledge of the environment is required. The path-planning algorithm follows a purely local approach using only the current range sensor measurements at each sampling instant and requiring only a small number of stored variables in memory. No map of the environment is built during navigation. This minimizes the memory and computational requirements for implementation of the algorithm, a feature that is especially attractive for small autonomous vehicles. The algorithm utilizes three components: an optimization algorithm, a local straight-line path planner to visible targets, and random navigation. It is proved, for navigation in any finite-dimensional space, that the path-planning algorithm converges in finite time with probability 1. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated through simulations for path-planning in two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces. It is seen that a relatively small number of range sensor measurements is sufficient even in complex unknown environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the American Control Conference
Pages110-115
Number of pages6
Volume1
StatePublished - 2005
Event2005 American Control Conference, ACC - Portland, OR, United States
Duration: Jun 8 2005Jun 10 2005

Other

Other2005 American Control Conference, ACC
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland, OR
Period6/8/056/10/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering

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