Optimal predictive neuro-navigator design for mobile robot navigation with moving obstacles

• Published in: Frontiers in robotics and AI Vol. 10; p. 1226028
• Main Authors: Mohaghegh, Mahsa, Saeedinia, Samaneh-Alsadat, Roozbehi, Zahra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 09.08.2023
• Subjects: dynamic environment; MPC; navigation; neural network; optimization; Robotics and AI; stability
• ISSN: 2296-9144; 2296-9144
• DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2023.1226028

Introduction: The challenge of navigating a Mobile robot in dynamic environments has grasped significant attention in recent years. Despite the available techniques, there is still a need for efficient and reliable approaches that can address the challenges of real-time near optimal navigation and collision avoidance. Methods: This paper proposes a novel Log-concave Model Predictive Controller (MPC) algorithm that addresses these challenges by utilizing a unique formulation of cost functions and dynamic constraints, as well as a convergence criterion based on Lyapunov stability theory. The proposed approach is mapped onto a novel recurrent neural network (RNN) structure and compared with the CVXOPT optimization tool. The key contribution of this study is the combination of neural networks with model predictive controller to solve optimal control problems locally near the robot, which offers several advantages, including computational efficiency and the ability to handle nonlinear and complex systems. Results: The major findings of this study include the successful implementation and evaluation of the proposed algorithm, which outperforms other methods such as RRT, A-Star, and LQ-MPC in terms of reliability and speed. This approach has the potential to facilitate real-time navigation of mobile robots in dynamic environments and ensure a feasible solution for the proposed constrained-optimization problem.