Journal of Bionic Engineering ›› 2020, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (5): 944-958.doi: 10.1007/s42235-020-0079-3

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Path Optimization Method for the Spherical Underwater Robot in Unknown Environment

Jian Guo1, Chunying Li1,2, Shuxiang Guo1,2*   

  1. 1. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Control Theory & Applications in Complicated Systems and Intelligent Robot Laboratory, 
    Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
    2. Department of Intelligent Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, 
    Takamatsu 761-0396, Japan

  • 收稿日期:2020-02-11 修回日期:2020-05-22 接受日期:2020-05-27 出版日期:2020-09-10 发布日期:2020-08-27
  • 通讯作者: Shuxiang Guo E-mail:27929579@qq.com
  • 作者简介:Jian Guo1, Chunying Li1,2, Shuxiang Guo1,2*

Path Optimization Method for the Spherical Underwater Robot in Unknown Environment

Jian Guo1, Chunying Li1,2, Shuxiang Guo1,2*   

  1. 1. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Control Theory & Applications in Complicated Systems and Intelligent Robot Laboratory, 
    Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
    2. Department of Intelligent Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, 
    Takamatsu 761-0396, Japan

  • Received:2020-02-11 Revised:2020-05-22 Accepted:2020-05-27 Online:2020-09-10 Published:2020-08-27
  • Contact: Shuxiang Guo E-mail:27929579@qq.com
  • About author:Jian Guo1, Chunying Li1,2, Shuxiang Guo1,2*

摘要: One of the major respects of the autonomous capability of underwater robots in unknown environment is to be capable of global path planning and obstacles avoiding when encountering abrupt events. For the Spherical Underwater Robot (SUR) to fulfill autonomous task execution, this paper proposed a novel fuzzy control method that incorporates multi-sensor technology to guide underwater robots in unknown environment. To attain the objective, a SUR we designed is used to design the controller. According to its kinematic model, the safety distance was calculated and sensors (US1000-21A) were arranged. The novel fuzzy control method was then explored for robot’s path planning in an unknown environment through simulation. The simulation results demonstrate the capability of the proposed method to guide the robot, and to generate a safe and smooth trajectory in an unknown environment. The effectiveness of the proposed method was further verified through experiments with a SUR in a real platform. The real environment experiments by using the novel fuzzy control method were compared with the basic control method. The experimental results show that in unknown environments, the proposed method improves the execution efficiency and flexibility of the SUR.

关键词: path planning, fuzzy control, spherical underwater robot, unknown environment

Abstract: One of the major respects of the autonomous capability of underwater robots in unknown environment is to be capable of global path planning and obstacles avoiding when encountering abrupt events. For the Spherical Underwater Robot (SUR) to fulfill autonomous task execution, this paper proposed a novel fuzzy control method that incorporates multi-sensor technology to guide underwater robots in unknown environment. To attain the objective, a SUR we designed is used to design the controller. According to its kinematic model, the safety distance was calculated and sensors (US1000-21A) were arranged. The novel fuzzy control method was then explored for robot’s path planning in an unknown environment through simulation. The simulation results demonstrate the capability of the proposed method to guide the robot, and to generate a safe and smooth trajectory in an unknown environment. The effectiveness of the proposed method was further verified through experiments with a SUR in a real platform. The real environment experiments by using the novel fuzzy control method were compared with the basic control method. The experimental results show that in unknown environments, the proposed method improves the execution efficiency and flexibility of the SUR.

Key words: path planning, fuzzy control, spherical underwater robot, unknown environment