A Study on Obstacles Avoidance for Mobile Robot Using Ultrasonic Sensor Array

초음파 어레이를 이용한 이동 로봇의 장애물 회피에 관한 연구

For mobile robot, the navigation effectiveness can be improved by providing autonomy, but this autonomy requires the mobile robot to detect unknown obstacles and avoid collisions while moving it toward the target. This paper presents an effective method for autonomous navigation of the mobile robot in structured environments. This method uses ultrasonic sensor array to detect obstacles and utilizes force relationship between the obstacles and the target for avoiding collisions. Accuracy of sensory data produced by ultrasonic sensors is improved by employing error eliminating rapid ultrasonic firing (EERUF) technique. Navigation algorithm controlling both the velocity and steering simultaneously is developed, implemented to the mobile robot and tested on the floor filled with the cluttered obstacles. It is verified that from the results of the field tests the mobile robot can move at a maximum speed of 0.66 m/sec without any collisions.