Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering

Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering

Fuzzy PID-inspired Potential Field Path Planning for Quadrotors in Environmental Monitoring

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Intelligent Control Systems Institute, K. N. Toosi University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
3 Faculty of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
This paper introduces a novel approach for quadrotor path planning referred to as the Fuzzy PID-inspired Adaptive Potential Field Method (FPID-APFM). Traditional Potential Field Methods (PFMs) suffer from well-known limitations, including vulnerability to local minima, oscillations near obstacles, and the need for manual fine-tuning of control parameters, which can significantly degrade performance in complex or dynamic environments. To overcome these issues, the proposed FPID-APFM incorporates a fuzzy inference system that adaptively regulates key parameters in real-time, specifically the attractive force coefficient (k_a) and the repulsive force coefficient (k_b). This parameter adjustment mechanism is inspired by PID control concepts, where k_a plays a role analogous to the proportional gain (k_p), directing the quadrotor toward its target, while k_b mimics the integral gain (k_i), considering cumulative interactions with nearby obstacles and contributing to more stable and responsive navigation. Additionally, a damping factor (ζ) is introduced to reduce oscillations and ensure smoother trajectory generation, particularly in dynamic and cluttered scenarios involving moving obstacles. The method’s effectiveness is validated through extensive simulation experiments conducted in both static and dynamic environments in MATLAB, including cases with wind disturbances and unpredictable changes. The results clearly demonstrate that FPID-APFM outperforms conventional approaches in terms of safety, smoothness, adaptability, and robustness. Overall, this method provides a reliable, flexible, and computationally efficient solution for real-world UAV navigation, package delivery, surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and environmental monitoring.
Keywords
Subjects

[1] O. Khatib, "Real-time obstacle avoidance for manipulators and mobile robots," The International Journal of Robotics Research, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 90-98, 1986, https://doi.org/10.1177/027836498600500106.
[2] S. S. Ge and Y. J. Cui, "Dynamic Motion Planning for Mobile Robots Using Potential Field Method," Autonomous Robots, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 207-222, 2002, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020564024509.
[3] Y. Koren and J. Borenstein, "Potential field methods and their inherent limitations for mobile robot navigation," in International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Sacramento, California, vol 2, no. 1991, 1991, pp. 1398-1404.
[4] X. Fan, Y. Guo, H. Liu, B. Wei, and W. Lyu, "Improved artificial potential field method applied for AUV path planning," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, vol. 2020, no. 1, 2020,Art. no. 6523158, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6523158.
[5] L. Liu, B. Wang, and H. Xu, "Research on path-planning algorithm integrating optimization A-star algorithm and artificial potential field method," Electronics, vol. 11, no. 22, p. 3660, 2022, https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11223660.
[6] M. Wang, "Fuzzy logic based robot path planning in unknown environment," in  International Conference on Machine Learning and Cybernetics, Guangzhou, China, 2005, vol. 2, pp. 813-818, https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMLC.2005.1527055
[7] P. Foehn, A. Romero, and D. Scaramuzza, "Time-optimal planning for quadrotor waypoint flight," Science Robotics, vol. 6, no. 56, 2021, Art. no. eabh1221, https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.abh1221.
[8] I. Shafieenejad, M. Siami Araghi, A. Sekhavat Benis, A. Mirzaee, and I. Fozouni Taloki, "Optimal path planning for autonomous space maneuvers based on reinforcement Q-learning and cubic network," Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 1-10, 2022, (in Persian), https://doi.org/10.22034/jtae.2022.140118.
[9] I. Shafieenejad, M. R. Banitalebi Dehkordi, and M. A. Nourianpour, "A review of the application of optimization algorithms nature inspired in the design of flight paths," Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 75-98, 2024, (in Persian), https://doi.org/10.22034/jtae.2024.8.3.6.
[10] R. Mahony, V. Kumar, and P. Corke, "Multirotor aerial vehicles: Modeling, estimation, and control of quadrotor," IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 20-32, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2012.2206474.
[11] R. Omar, E. Sabudin, and C. K. M. CK, "Potential field methods and their inherent approaches for path planning," ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 18, pp. 10801-10805, 2016.
[12] M. Ghanifar, M. Kamzan, and M. Tayefi, "Intelligent tuning PID controller, simulation and comparison for a quadrotor," Journal of Technology in Aerospace Engineering, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 23-33, 2023, (in Persian), https://doi.org/10.30699/jtae.2023.7.4.3.
[13] W. Xie and J. Duan, "The design and simulation of fuzzy PID parameter self-tuning controller," TELKOMNIKA Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 293-297, 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v14i2.7674.
 

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 October 2025

  • Receive Date 06 August 2025
  • Accept Date 29 September 2025
  • First Publish Date 20 October 2025