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Virginia Tech

Arc Path Collision Avoidance Algorithm for Autonomous Ground Vehicles

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Presented in this thesis is a collision avoidance algorithm designed around an arc path model. The algorithm was designed for use on Virginia Tech robots entered in the 2003 and 2004 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) and on our 2004 entry into the DARPA Grand Challenge. The arc path model was used because of the simplicity of the calculations and because it can accurately represent the base kinematics for Ackerman or differentially steered vehicles. Clothoid curves have been used in the past to create smooth paths with continuously varying curvature, but clothoids are computationally intensive. The circular arc algorithm proposed here is designed with simplicity and versatility in mind. It is readily adaptable to ground vehicles of any size and shape. The algorithm is also designed to run with minimal tuning. The algorithm can be used as a stand alone reactive collision avoidance algorithm in simple scenarios, but it can be better optimized for speed and safety when guided by a global path planner. A complete navigation architecture is presented as an example of how obstacle avoidance can be incorporated in the algorithm.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Naik, Ankur
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Reinholtz, Charles F.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Wicks, Alfred L.
  • Abbott, A. Lynn

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-01162006-112326
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/30969

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Naik, Ankur. Arc Path Collision Avoidance Algorithm for Autonomous Ground Vehicles. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30969