Mobile Robot Path Planning Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization and Improved Dynamic Window Approach

To enable mobile robots to effectively complete path planning in dynamic environments, a hybrid path planning method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and dynamic window approach (DWA) is proposed in this paper. First, an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) is proposed to enhance the exploration capability and search accuracy of the algorithm by improving the velocity update method and inertia weight. Secondly, a particle initialization strategy is used to increase population diversity, and an addressing local optimum strategy is used to make the algorithm overcome the local optimum. Thirdly, a method of selecting navigation points is proposed to guide local path planning. The robot selects the appropriate navigation points as the target points for local path planning based on the position of the robot and the risk of collision with dynamic obstacles. Finally, an improved dynamic window approach (IDWA) is proposed by combining the velocity obstacle (VO) with the DWA, and the evaluation function of the DWA is improved to enhance trajectory tracking and dynamic obstacle avoidance capabilities. The simulation and experimental results show that IPSO has greater exploration capability and search accuracy; IDWA is more effective in trajectory tracking and dynamic obstacle avoidance; and the hybrid algorithm enables the robot to efficiently complete path planning in dynamic environments.