×
The submission system is temporarily under maintenance. Please send your manuscripts to
Go to Editorial ManagerMany assistive devices have been developed for visually impaired (VI) person in recent years which solve the problems that face VI person in his/her daily moving. Most of researches try to solve the obstacle avoidance or navigation problem, and others focus on assisting VI person to recognize the objects in his/her surrounding environment. However, a few of them integrate both navigation and recognition capabilities in their system. According to above needs, an assistive device is presented in this paper that achieves both capabilities to aid the VI person to (1) navigate safely from his/her current location (pose) to a desired destination in unknown environment, and (2) recognize his/her surrounding objects. The proposed system consists of the low cost sensors Neato XV-11 LiDAR, ultrasonic sensor, Raspberry pi camera (CameraPi), which are hold on a white cane. Hector SLAM based on 2D LiDAR is used to construct a 2D-map of unfamiliar environment. While A* path planning algorithm generates an optimal path on the given 2D hector map. Moreover, the temporary obstacles in front of VI person are detected by an ultrasonic sensor. The recognition system based on Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) technique is implemented in this work to predict object class besides enhance the navigation system. The interaction between the VI person and an assistive system is done by audio module (speech recognition and speech synthesis). The proposed system performance has been evaluated on various real-time experiments conducted in indoor scenarios, showing the efficiency of the proposed system.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are becoming increasingly important in different domains such as healthcare, warehouse automation and household duties, but still encounter problems when it comes to moving around unfamiliar and dynamic environments. This study proposes an advanced robotic navigation system which combines the Soft Actor-Critic (SAC) approach and Vector Field Histogram (VFH) for path planning and avoidance obstacles in completely unknown environments. This system leverages the strengths of deep reinforcement learning and real-time obstacle detection to achieve robust and efficient navigation in certain scenarios. The SAC strategy optimizes robot navigation using policy networks and Q-networks, while the VFH method addresses obstacle avoidance by sensor data processing and dynamically adjusting the robot’s angular velocity to avoid collision. For testing and implementing this system, Gazebo simulation and Robot Operating System (ROS) are used. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method outperformed the standard technique and achieved a high success rate in path planning and obstacles avoidance.
Navigational sensors are evolving both on a commercial and research level. However, the limitation still lies in the accuracy of the respective sensors. For a navigation system to reach a certain accuracy, multi sensors or fusion sensors are used. In this paper, a framework of fuzzy sensor data fusing is proposed to obtain an optimised navigational system. Different types of sensors without a known state of inaccuracy can be fused using the same method proposed. This is demonstrated by fusing compass/accelerometer and GPS signal. GPS is prone to inaccuracies due to environmental factors. These inaccuracies are available in the extracted NMEA protocols as SNR and HDOP. Dead reckoning sensors on the other hand do not depend on external radio signal coverage and can be used in areas with low coverage, but the errors are unbounded and have an accumulative effect over time.
A robot is a smart machine that can help people in their daily lives and keep everyone safe. the three general sequences to accomplish any robot task is mapping the environment, the localization, and the navigation (path planning with obstacle avoidance). Since the goal of the robot is to reach its target without colliding, the most important and challenging task of the mobile robot is the navigation. In this paper, the robot navigation problem is solved by proposed two algorithms using low-cost IR receiver sensors arranged as an array, and a robot has been equipped with one IR transmitter. Firstly, the shortest orientation algorithm is proposed, the robot direction is corrected at each step of movement depending on the angle calculation. secondly, an Active orientation algorithm is presented to solve the weakness in the preceding algorithm. A chain of the active sensors in the environment within the sensing range of the virtual path is activated to be scan through the robot movement. In each algorithm, the initial position of the robot is detected using the modified binary search algorithm, various stages are used to avoid obstacles through suitable equations focusing on finding the shortest and the safer path of the robot. Simulation results with multi-resolution environment explained the efficiency of the algorithms, they are compatible with the designed environment, it provides safe movements (without hitting obstacles) and a good system control performance. A Comparison table is also provided.
Obstacle avoidance in mobile robot path planning represents an exciting field of robotics systems. There are numerous algorithms available, each with its own set of features. In this paper a Witch of Agnesi curve algorithm is proposed to prevent a collision by the mobile robot’s orientation beyond the obstacles which represents an important problem in path planning, further, to achieve a minimum arrival time by following the shortest path which leads to minimizing power loss. The proposed approach considers the mobile robot’s platform equipped with the LIDAR 360o sensor to detect obstacle positions in any environment of the mobile robot. Obstacles detected in the sensing range of the mobile robot are dealt with by using the Witch of Agnesi curve algorithm, this establishes the obstacle’s apparent vertices’ virtual minimum bounding circle with minimum error. Several Scenarios are implemented and considered based on the identification of obstacles in the mobile robot environment. The proposed system has been simulated by the V-REP platform by designing several scenarios that emulate the behavior of the robot during the path planning model. The simulation and experimental results show the optimal performance of the mobile robot during navigation is obtained as compared to the other methods with minimum power loss and also with minimum error. It’s given 96.3 percent in terms of the average of the total path while the Bezier algorithm gave 94.67 percent. While in experimental results the proposed algorithm gave 93.45 and the Bezier algorithm gave 92.19 percent.
In recent years, wireless microrobots have gotten more attention due to their huge potential in the biomedical field, especially drug delivery. Microrobots have several benefits, including small size, low weight, sensitivity, and flexibility. These characteristics have led to microscale improvements in control systems and power delivery with the development of submillimeter-sized robots. Wireless control of individual mobile microrobots has been achieved using a variety of propulsion systems, and improving the actuation and navigation of microrobots will have a significant impact. On the other hand, actuation tools must be integrated and compatible with the human body to drive these untethered microrobots along predefined paths inside biological environments. This study investigated key microrobot components, including medical applications, actuation systems, control systems, and design schemes. The efficiency of a microrobot is impacted by many factors, including the material, structure, and environment of the microrobot. Furthermore, integrating a hybrid actuation system and multimodal imaging can increase the microrobot’s navigation effect, imaging algorithms, and working environment. In addition, taking into account the human body’s moving distance, autonomous actuating technology could be used to deliver microrobots precisely and quickly to a specific position using a combination of quick approaches.
The demand for application of mobile robots in performing boring and extensive tasks are increasing rapidly due to unavailability of human workforce. Navigation by humans within the warehouse is one among such repetitive and exhaustive task. Autonomous navigation of mobile robots for picking and dropping the shelves within the warehouse will save time and money for the warehousing business. Proposing an optimization model for automated storage and retrieval systems by the goals of its planning is investigated to minimize travel time in multi-robot systems. This paper deals with designing a system for storing and retrieving a group of materials within an environment arranged in rows and columns. Its intersections represent storage locations. The title of any subject is indicated by the row number and the column in it. A method was proposed to store and retrieve a set of requests (materials) using a number of robots as well as one receiving and delivery port. Several simulation results are tested to show this improvement in length of path and time of arrival.
Due to the last increase in data and information technology, the need to use robots in many life areas is increased. There is a great diversity in this field, depending on the type of task required, as the robot enters the parcels of air, land, and water. In this paper, a robot's mission designed to move things is concentrated, relying on line-tracing technology that makes it easy to track its path safely, the RFID is distributed in its approach. When the robot reads the RFID tag, it stops until it raises the load from above, the robot continues its path toward the target. When an obstacle obstructs the robot path, the robot deviates and returns after a while to its previous approach. All this technology is implemented using a new algorithm which is programmed using the visual basic program. The robot designed to transfer the stored material is used according to a site known as an identifier that is identified by the RFID value, where the robot is programmed through a microcontroller and a unique store program that determines the current location and the desired location, then is given the task for the robot to do it as required. The robot is controlled using an ATmega controller to control other parts connected to the electronic circuit, the particular infrared sensor, and ultrasound to avoid potential obstacles within the robot's path to reach the target safely. In addition to this, the robot is made up of an RFID sensor to give unique to each desired target site. Through the console, it is possible to know the link indicated by the target. The H-bridge is also used to obtain a particular command and guide the robot as needed to move freely in all directions and a DC motor which is unique for moving wheels at the desired speed, and Bluetooth for programmable and secure wireless transmission and reception with all these parts through a unique program that also uses application inventory. The robot has proven to be a great success in performing the required task through several tests that have been practically performed.
The autonomous navigation of robots is an important area of research. It can intelligently navigate itself from source to target within an environment without human interaction. Recently, algorithms and techniques have been made and developed to improve the performance of robots. It’s more effective and has high precision tasks than before. This work proposed to solve a maze using a Flood fill algorithm based on real time camera monitoring the movement on its environment. Live video streaming sends an obtained data to be processed by the server. The server sends back the information to the robot via wireless radio. The robot works as a client device moves from point to point depends on server information. Using camera in this work allows voiding great time that needs it to indicate the route by the robot.
Path-planning is a crucial part of robotics, helping robots move through challenging places all by themselves. In this paper, we introduce an innovative approach to robot path-planning, a crucial aspect of robotics. This technique combines the power of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Probabilistic Roadmap (PRM) to enhance efficiency and reliability. Our method takes into account challenges caused by moving obstacles, making it skilled at navigating complex environments. Through merging GA’s exploration abilities with PRM’s global planning strengths, our GA-PRM algorithm improves computational efficiency and finds optimal paths. To validate our approach, we conducted rigorous evaluations against well-known algorithms including A*, RRT, Genetic Algorithm, and PRM in simulated environments. The results were remarkable, with our GA-PRM algorithm outperforming existing methods, achieving an average path length of 25.6235 units and an average computational time of 0.6881 seconds, demonstrating its speed and effectiveness. Additionally, the paths generated were notably smoother, with an average value of 0.3133. These findings highlight the potential of the GA-PRM algorithm in real-world applications, especially in crucial sectors like healthcare, where efficient path-planning is essential. This research contributes significantly to the field of path-planning and offers valuable insights for the future design of autonomous robotic systems.
This paper deals with the navigation of a mobile robot in unknown environment using artificial potential field method. The aim of this paper is to develop a complete method that allows the mobile robot to reach its goal while avoiding unknown obstacles on its path. An approach proposed is introduced in this paper based on combing the artificial potential field method with fuzzy logic controller to solve drawbacks of artificial potential field method such as local minima problems, make an effective motion planner and improve the quality of the trajectory of mobile robot.
In maze maneuvering, it is needed for a mobile robot to feasibly plan the shortest path from its initial posture to the desired destination in a given environment. To achieve that, the mobile robot is combined with multiple distance sensors to assist the navigation while avoiding obstructing obstacles and following the shortest path toward the target. Additionally, a vision sensor is used to detect and track colored objects. A new algorithm is proposed based on different type of utilized sensors to aid the maneuvering of differential drive mobile robot in an unknown environment. In the proposed algorithm, the robot has the ability to traverse surrounding hindrances and seek for a particular object based on its color. Six infrared sensors are used to detect any located obstacles and one color detection sensor is used to locate the colored object. The Mobile Robotics Simulation Toolbox in Matlab is used to test the proposed algorithm. Three different scenarios are studied to prove the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that the mobile robot has successfully accomplished the tracking and locating of a colored object without collision with hurdles.
A self learning fuzzy logic controller for ship steering systems is proposed in this paper. Due to the high nonlinearity of ship steering system, the performances of traditional control algorithms are not satisfactory in fact. An intelligent control system is designed for controlling the direction heading of ships to improve the high e ffi ciency of transportation, the convenience of manoeuvring ships, and the safety of navigation. The design of fuzzy controllers is usually performed in an ad hoc manner where it is hard to justify the choice of some fuzzy control parameters such as the parameters of membership function. In this paper, self tuning algorithm is used to adjust the parameters of fuzzy controller. Simulation results show that the efficiency of proposed algorithm to design a fuzzy controller for ship steering system.
In this paper, a new algorithm called the virtual circle tangents is introduced for mobile robot navigation in an environment with polygonal shape obstacles. The algorithm relies on representing the polygonal shape obstacles by virtual circles, and then all the possible trajectories from source to target is constructed by computing the visible tangents between the robot and the virtual circle obstacles. A new method for searching the shortest path from source to target is suggested. Two states of the simulation are suggested, the first one is the off-line state and the other is the on-line state. The introduced method is compared with two other algorithms to study its performance.