Random force based algorithm for local minima escape of potential field method

Abstract

We address a new inherent limitation of potential field methods, which is symmetrically aligned robot-obstacle-goal (SAROG). The SAROG involves one critical risk of local minima trap. For dealing with the problem, we investigate the way how the local minima trap is recognized, and present our random force algorithm. The force algorithm has two categories of random unit total force (RUTF) and random unit total force with repulsion removal (RUTF-RR) which are selected based on the conditions of a robot, an obstacle and a goal.