Navigational Analysis of Multiple Humanoids Using a Hybridized Rule Base-Sugeno Fuzzy Controller

Abstract

This paper describes a rule base-Sugeno fuzzy hybrid controller for path planning of single as well as multiple humanoid robots in cluttered environments. Initially, sensor outputs regarding the obstacle distances are used as inputs to the rule base model, and turning angle is obtained as the output. The rule-based analysis is used for training the fuzzy controller with membership functions. The output from the rule base model along with other regular inputs is supplied to a Sugeno fuzzy model, and effective turning angle is obtained as the final output to avoid the obstacles present in the environment and navigate the humanoids safely to their target points. The proposed hybrid controller is tested on a V-REP simulation platform, and the simulation results are validated in an experimental set-up. To avoid the possibility of any inter-collision during navigation of multiple humanoids on a common platform, a Petri-net scheme is integrated along with the proposed hybrid model. Finally, the results obtained from simulation and experimental platforms are compared against each other with proper agreement and minimal percentage of deviations. To validate the proposed controller, it has also been tested against another existing navigational approach, and satisfactory performance enhancement has been observed.