3D path planning for underwater vehicles using five evolutionary optimization algorithms avoiding static and energetic obstacles

In this paper, optimal paths in environments with obstacles for underwater vehicles are computed using a numerical solution of the nonlinear optimal control problem (NOCP). The underwater vehicle is modeled with six-dimensional nonlinear and coupled equations of motion, controlled by DC motors in all degrees of freedom. An energy performance index combined with a time consumption index is used. Both fixed and free final times are considered. Solving NOCP leads to a two point boundary value problem (TPBVP). Five intelligent evolutionary algorithms (EAs), which include genetic algorithm, memetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization and shuffled frog leaping algorithm, are applied to solve the NOCP. For comparison, a conjugate gradient penalty method is also used to solve the TPBVP. The simulation results show that the trajectories obtained by the intelligent methods are better than those of conjugate gradient method. After analyzing a simple path planning problem, the time-energy-optimal path planning problem in energetic environments is propounded and solved by EAs. The problem of static obstacle collision avoidance in an energetic environment is also studied.

▸ Optimal path planning for underwater vehicles is studied. ▸ Five evolutionary algorithms are applied to find the optimal paths. ▸ Obstacle avoidance problem is investigated. ▸ Numerical simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.