A μ analysis-based, controller-synthesis framework for robust bioinspired visual navigation in less-structured environments

Bioinspir Biomim. 2014 Jun;9(2):025011. doi: 10.1088/1748-3182/9/2/025011. Epub 2014 May 22.

Abstract

Safe, autonomous navigation by aerial microsystems in less-structured environments is a difficult challenge to overcome with current technology. This paper presents a novel visual-navigation approach that combines bioinspired wide-field processing of optic flow information with control-theoretic tools for synthesis of closed loop systems, resulting in robustness and performance guarantees. Structured singular value analysis is used to synthesize a dynamic controller that provides good tracking performance in uncertain environments without resorting to explicit pose estimation or extraction of a detailed environmental depth map. Experimental results with a quadrotor demonstrate the vehicle's robust obstacle-avoidance behaviour in a straight line corridor, an S-shaped corridor and a corridor with obstacles distributed in the vehicle's path. The computational efficiency and simplicity of the current approach offers a promising alternative to satisfying the payload, power and bandwidth constraints imposed by aerial microsystems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aircraft / instrumentation*
  • Animals
  • Biomimetics / instrumentation*
  • Biomimetics / methods
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Feedback, Sensory / physiology
  • Flight, Animal / physiology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Optic Flow / physiology*
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Spatial Navigation / physiology*