Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs

Optimization methods like population-based algorithms are valuable when applied to multidimensional and nonlinear problems. Many engineering problems, such as controller parameterization, can be addressed using population-based algorithms since these parameters are usually found through essays, resu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña, Salatiel Garcia-Nava, Norberto Hernandez-Romero, Juan Carlos Seck-Touh-Mora
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Control and Optimization
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666720725000852
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849246984015183872
author Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña
Salatiel Garcia-Nava
Norberto Hernandez-Romero
Juan Carlos Seck-Touh-Mora
author_facet Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña
Salatiel Garcia-Nava
Norberto Hernandez-Romero
Juan Carlos Seck-Touh-Mora
author_sort Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña
collection DOAJ
description Optimization methods like population-based algorithms are valuable when applied to multidimensional and nonlinear problems. Many engineering problems, such as controller parameterization, can be addressed using population-based algorithms since these parameters are usually found through essays, resulting in high time and resource consumption. Population-based algorithms need to define the range within which the search for the best solution is performed, known as the search space. However, due to the nonlinear nature of the systems to which these controllers are applied, there is no certainty about the search space that must be defined. This study proposes a hybrid optimization strategy that couples the Hunger Games Search (HGS) metaheuristic with an unsupervised Self Organizing Map, Kohonen Neural Network, to improve trajectory-tracking control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) transporting cable suspended loads. In the proposed NNHGS, the HGS algorithm seeks the controller gains that minimize Root Mean Square tracking Error (RMSE). At the same time, the neural network continuously reshapes the search intervals according to the evolving tracking performance. By expanding the exploration into parameter regions beyond the initial bounds, the NNHGS finds high-quality solutions that standard HGS excludes. The simulation results obtained with a Super Twisting Sliding Mode Controller (STSMC) show a reduction in the final tracking error from RMSE=0.0480 with HGS to RMSE = 0.0204 by NNHGS, along with enhanced disturbance rejection and rapid adaptation to parameter changes. These gains highlight the suitability of this method for real-world missions such as logistics, disaster relief, or remote inspection, where UAVs must remain stable under uncertain or parameter-varying conditions.
format Article
id doaj-art-045059cd13264d0c9cbdedd0c54a04a7
institution Kabale University
issn 2666-7207
language English
publishDate 2025-09-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Results in Control and Optimization
spelling doaj-art-045059cd13264d0c9cbdedd0c54a04a72025-08-20T03:58:21ZengElsevierResults in Control and Optimization2666-72072025-09-012010059910.1016/j.rico.2025.100599Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVsNadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña0Salatiel Garcia-Nava1Norberto Hernandez-Romero2Juan Carlos Seck-Touh-Mora3Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo Pachuca, Kilómetro 4.5 carretera Pachuca - Tulancingo, Mineral de la Reforma, 42184, Hidalgo, Mexico; Corresponding author.Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Ciudad de Mexico, MexicoUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo Pachuca, Kilómetro 4.5 carretera Pachuca - Tulancingo, Mineral de la Reforma, 42184, Hidalgo, MexicoUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo Pachuca, Kilómetro 4.5 carretera Pachuca - Tulancingo, Mineral de la Reforma, 42184, Hidalgo, MexicoOptimization methods like population-based algorithms are valuable when applied to multidimensional and nonlinear problems. Many engineering problems, such as controller parameterization, can be addressed using population-based algorithms since these parameters are usually found through essays, resulting in high time and resource consumption. Population-based algorithms need to define the range within which the search for the best solution is performed, known as the search space. However, due to the nonlinear nature of the systems to which these controllers are applied, there is no certainty about the search space that must be defined. This study proposes a hybrid optimization strategy that couples the Hunger Games Search (HGS) metaheuristic with an unsupervised Self Organizing Map, Kohonen Neural Network, to improve trajectory-tracking control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) transporting cable suspended loads. In the proposed NNHGS, the HGS algorithm seeks the controller gains that minimize Root Mean Square tracking Error (RMSE). At the same time, the neural network continuously reshapes the search intervals according to the evolving tracking performance. By expanding the exploration into parameter regions beyond the initial bounds, the NNHGS finds high-quality solutions that standard HGS excludes. The simulation results obtained with a Super Twisting Sliding Mode Controller (STSMC) show a reduction in the final tracking error from RMSE=0.0480 with HGS to RMSE = 0.0204 by NNHGS, along with enhanced disturbance rejection and rapid adaptation to parameter changes. These gains highlight the suitability of this method for real-world missions such as logistics, disaster relief, or remote inspection, where UAVs must remain stable under uncertain or parameter-varying conditions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666720725000852Neural networksHunger games searchUnmanned aerial vehiclesSuper twisting sliding mode controller
spellingShingle Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña
Salatiel Garcia-Nava
Norberto Hernandez-Romero
Juan Carlos Seck-Touh-Mora
Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
Results in Control and Optimization
Neural networks
Hunger games search
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Super twisting sliding mode controller
title Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
title_full Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
title_fullStr Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
title_short Hybrid Hunger Games Search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to UAVs
title_sort hybrid hunger games search optimization using a neural networks approach applied to uavs
topic Neural networks
Hunger games search
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Super twisting sliding mode controller
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666720725000852
work_keys_str_mv AT nadiasamanthazunigapena hybridhungergamessearchoptimizationusinganeuralnetworksapproachappliedtouavs
AT salatielgarcianava hybridhungergamessearchoptimizationusinganeuralnetworksapproachappliedtouavs
AT norbertohernandezromero hybridhungergamessearchoptimizationusinganeuralnetworksapproachappliedtouavs
AT juancarlossecktouhmora hybridhungergamessearchoptimizationusinganeuralnetworksapproachappliedtouavs