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This study presents the development and implementation of an autonomous obstacle avoidance algorithm for an UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle). This research improves the prior work by enhancing the obstacle avoidance capability to handle moving obstacles as well as stationary obstacles. A mathematical representation of the area of operation with obstacles is formulated by PTEM (Probabilistic Threat Exposure Map). The PTEM quantifies the risk in being at a position in an area with different types of obstacles. A LRF (Laser Range Finder) sensor is mounted on the UGV for obstacle data in the area that is used to construct the PTEM. A guidance algorithm processes the PTEM and generates the speed and heading commands to steer the UGV to assigned waypoints while avoiding obstacles. The main contribution of this research is to improve the PTEM framework by updating it continuously as new LRF readings are obtained, on the contrary to the prior work with fixed PTEM. The improved PTEM construction algorithm is implemented in a MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment that includes models of the UGV, LRF, all the sensors and actuators needed for the control of the UGV. The performance of the algorithm is also demonstrated in real time experiments with an actual UGV system.

This study presents a novel distributed behavior model for multi-agent unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based on the entropy of the system. In the developed distributed behavior model, when the entropy of the system is high, the UAVs get closer to reduce the overall entropy; this is called the grouping phase. If the entropy is less than the predefined threshold, then the UAVs switch to the mission phase and proceed to a global goal. Computer simulations are performed in AirSim, an open-source, cross-platform simulator. Comprehensive parameter analysis is performed, and parameters with the best results are implemented in multiple-waypoint navigation experiments. The results show the feasibility of the concept and the effectiveness of the distributed behavior model for multi-agent UAVs.

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