UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization
UAV path planning, as a key technology in the field of automatic control and intelligent systems, has demonstrated significant potential in various applications, including logistics and distribution, environmental monitoring, and emergency rescue. A comprehensive reassessment of the existing represe...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/2/128 |
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| author | Qiwu Wu Yunchen Su Weicong Tan Renjun Zhan Jiaqi Liu Lingzhi Jiang |
| author_facet | Qiwu Wu Yunchen Su Weicong Tan Renjun Zhan Jiaqi Liu Lingzhi Jiang |
| author_sort | Qiwu Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | UAV path planning, as a key technology in the field of automatic control and intelligent systems, has demonstrated significant potential in various applications, including logistics and distribution, environmental monitoring, and emergency rescue. A comprehensive reassessment of the existing representative literature reveals that most reviews in this field focus on specific aspects and are largely confined to methodological investigations, primarily qualitative analyses that lack empirical data to support their conclusions. To address this gap, this study employs the mapping knowledge domain (MKD) method of bibliometrics, utilizing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R package to analyze a total of 4416 documents from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) spanning from 2000 to 2024. Through retrospective analysis and scientific knowledge mapping, we first review the development of UAV path planning and categorize it into four distinct stages. Secondly, we identify key external features of the field. Using techniques such as co-citation analysis and keyword clustering, we then identify research trends, burst papers, and hotspots. Finally, we highlight five typical application scenarios of UAV path planning. The results of the study indicate that the field of UAV path planning has made significant advancements over the past two decades, particularly since 2018. These studies encompass various disciplinary areas, underscoring the increasing necessity for the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to UAV path planning in recent years. The aim of this study is to provide researchers with a comprehensive reference and new research perspectives while offering technical guidelines for professionals working in related applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8af0f58136bd4c46ac32d045dd2c2477 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-8af0f58136bd4c46ac32d045dd2c24772025-08-20T03:12:18ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-02-019212810.3390/drones9020128UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and VisualizationQiwu Wu0Yunchen Su1Weicong Tan2Renjun Zhan3Jiaqi Liu4Lingzhi Jiang5School of Equipment Management and Support, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an 710086, ChinaSchool of Equipment Management and Support, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an 710086, ChinaSchool of Information Engineering, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an 710086, ChinaSchool of Equipment Management and Support, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an 710086, ChinaEquipment Management and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Engineering College, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an 710038, ChinaSchool of Information Engineering, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an 710086, ChinaUAV path planning, as a key technology in the field of automatic control and intelligent systems, has demonstrated significant potential in various applications, including logistics and distribution, environmental monitoring, and emergency rescue. A comprehensive reassessment of the existing representative literature reveals that most reviews in this field focus on specific aspects and are largely confined to methodological investigations, primarily qualitative analyses that lack empirical data to support their conclusions. To address this gap, this study employs the mapping knowledge domain (MKD) method of bibliometrics, utilizing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R package to analyze a total of 4416 documents from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) spanning from 2000 to 2024. Through retrospective analysis and scientific knowledge mapping, we first review the development of UAV path planning and categorize it into four distinct stages. Secondly, we identify key external features of the field. Using techniques such as co-citation analysis and keyword clustering, we then identify research trends, burst papers, and hotspots. Finally, we highlight five typical application scenarios of UAV path planning. The results of the study indicate that the field of UAV path planning has made significant advancements over the past two decades, particularly since 2018. These studies encompass various disciplinary areas, underscoring the increasing necessity for the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to UAV path planning in recent years. The aim of this study is to provide researchers with a comprehensive reference and new research perspectives while offering technical guidelines for professionals working in related applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/2/128UAVpath planningbibliometricsco-citation analysisvisualizationCiteSpace |
| spellingShingle | Qiwu Wu Yunchen Su Weicong Tan Renjun Zhan Jiaqi Liu Lingzhi Jiang UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization Drones UAV path planning bibliometrics co-citation analysis visualization CiteSpace |
| title | UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization |
| title_full | UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization |
| title_fullStr | UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization |
| title_full_unstemmed | UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization |
| title_short | UAV Path Planning Trends from 2000 to 2024: A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization |
| title_sort | uav path planning trends from 2000 to 2024 a bibliometric analysis and visualization |
| topic | UAV path planning bibliometrics co-citation analysis visualization CiteSpace |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/2/128 |
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