Improved potential field method for unknown obstacle avoidance using UAV in indoor environment

Abstract

This paper proposes a solution to real-time collision-free path planning for an AR. Drone 2.0 UAV using only on-board visual and inertial sensing. The proposed solution consists in a modified potential field method to overcome the non-reachable goal problem. The approach comprises three key components: pattern-based ground for localization, proposed potential field method for path planning and PD controllers for steering commands. By applying the proposed method, the quadrotor is successful in avoiding known/unknown obstacles and reaching the target in complex indoor environment. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy, which opens new possibilities for the agent to perform autonomous navigation.