2024/06/24 by Julia Richter, Hendrik Kolvenbach, Richter, Julia +5 · 1 citation
Computer Science · Engineering · #Control and Dynamics of Mobile Robots #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Robotic Path Planning Algorithms #Robotics (cs.RO)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2406.16376
openalex publication_date 2024/06/24 · openalex created_date 2024/06/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In unstructured environments the best path is not always the shortest, but needs to consider various objectives like energy efficiency, risk of failure or scientific outcome. This paper proposes a global planner, based on the A* algorithm, capable of individually considering multiple layers of map data for different cost objectives. We introduce weights between the objectives, which can be adapted to achieve a variety of optimal paths. In order to find the best of these paths, a tool for statistical path analysis is presented. Our planner was tested on exemplary lunar topographies to propose two trajectories for exploring the Aristarchus Plateau. The optimized paths significantly reduce the risk of failure while yielding more scientific value compared to a manually planned paths in the same area. The planner and analysis tool are made open-source in order to simplify mission planning for planetary scientists.