A novel hybrid swarm intelligence algorithm for solving TSP and desired-path-based online obstacle avoidance strategy for AUV

• Published in: Robotics and autonomous systems Vol. 177; p. 104678
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yixiao, Shen, Yue, Wang, Qi, Song, Chao, Dai, Ning, He, Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Ant colony optimization; Obstacle avoidance; Parameters optimization; Seagull optimization algorithm; Traveling salesman problem; Seagull optimization algorithm; Ant colony optimization; Traveling salesman problem; Parameters optimization; Obstacle avoidance
• ISSN: 0921-8890; 1872-793X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.robot.2024.104678

Aiming at the problem that Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is subject primarily to the parameters, we propose a hybrid algorithm SOA-ACO-2Opt to optimize the ACO parameter combination through Seagull Optimization Algorithm (SOA) to strengthen ACO’s search capability. To obtain a uniform initial distribution of the ACO parameter combination, we incorporated the Kent Chaos Map (KCM) to randomly initialize the seagull’s position, reducing the tendency of SOA to fall into the local optimum. To avoid slow calculation speed and premature convergence of ACO, we improved the adaptive multi-population mechanism to reduce repeated redundant calculations and used the ϵ−greedy and default strategy, respectively, to update the ants’ position. 2Opt is applied to find shorter paths in each iteration. In addition, when AUV navigates on the planned path, it may encounter obstacles. Therefore, this paper proposes an autonomous obstacle avoidance algorithm based on forward-looking sonar to ensure safety during tasks. SOA-ACO-2Opt is verified against twelve different problems extracted from TSPLIB and compared with some state-of-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, sea trials were carried out for several representative marine engineering applications of TSP and obstacle avoidance. Experimental results show that this work can significantly improve AUV’s work efficiency and intelligence and protect the AUV’s safety. [Display omitted] •A hybrid algorithm SOA-ACO-2Opt is proposed to solve TSP.•A multi-population mechanism is used to reduce redundant computation and avoid early convergence.•The desired-path-based avoidance strategy is efficient and of low complexity.•The proposed algorithm is practical and efficient for AUV engineering applications.