Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP

Realizing path tracking is crucial for improving the accuracy and efficiency of unmanned vehicle operations. In this paper, a path tracking hierarchical control method based on DDPG-PP is proposed to improve the path tracking accuracy of tracked unmanned vehicles. Constrained by the objective of min...

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Main Authors: Yongjuan Zhao, Chaozhe Guo, Jiangyong Mi, Lijin Wang, Haidi Wang, Hailong Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Machines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/603
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author Yongjuan Zhao
Chaozhe Guo
Jiangyong Mi
Lijin Wang
Haidi Wang
Hailong Zhang
author_facet Yongjuan Zhao
Chaozhe Guo
Jiangyong Mi
Lijin Wang
Haidi Wang
Hailong Zhang
author_sort Yongjuan Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Realizing path tracking is crucial for improving the accuracy and efficiency of unmanned vehicle operations. In this paper, a path tracking hierarchical control method based on DDPG-PP is proposed to improve the path tracking accuracy of tracked unmanned vehicles. Constrained by the objective of minimizing path tracking error, with the upper controller, we adopted the DDPG method to construct an adaptive look-ahead distance optimizer in which the look-ahead distance was dynamically adjusted in real-time using a reinforcement learning strategy. Meanwhile, reinforcement learning training was carried out with randomly generated paths to improve the model’s generalization ability. Based on the optimal look-ahead distance output from the upper layer, the lower layer realizes precise closed-loop control of torque, required for steering, based on the PP method. Simulation results show that the path tracking accuracy of the proposed method is better than that of the LQR and PP methods. The proposed method reduces the average tracking error by 94.0% and 79.2% and the average heading error by 80.4% and 65.0% under complex paths compared to the LQR and PP methods, respectively.
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issn 2075-1702
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Machines
spelling doaj-art-9482993f7d8748d6b9288e63d7bc2a392025-08-20T02:45:37ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-07-0113760310.3390/machines13070603Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PPYongjuan Zhao0Chaozhe Guo1Jiangyong Mi2Lijin Wang3Haidi Wang4Hailong Zhang5School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaRealizing path tracking is crucial for improving the accuracy and efficiency of unmanned vehicle operations. In this paper, a path tracking hierarchical control method based on DDPG-PP is proposed to improve the path tracking accuracy of tracked unmanned vehicles. Constrained by the objective of minimizing path tracking error, with the upper controller, we adopted the DDPG method to construct an adaptive look-ahead distance optimizer in which the look-ahead distance was dynamically adjusted in real-time using a reinforcement learning strategy. Meanwhile, reinforcement learning training was carried out with randomly generated paths to improve the model’s generalization ability. Based on the optimal look-ahead distance output from the upper layer, the lower layer realizes precise closed-loop control of torque, required for steering, based on the PP method. Simulation results show that the path tracking accuracy of the proposed method is better than that of the LQR and PP methods. The proposed method reduces the average tracking error by 94.0% and 79.2% and the average heading error by 80.4% and 65.0% under complex paths compared to the LQR and PP methods, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/603tracked unmanned vehiclespath trackingreinforcement learningpure pursuit
spellingShingle Yongjuan Zhao
Chaozhe Guo
Jiangyong Mi
Lijin Wang
Haidi Wang
Hailong Zhang
Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
Machines
tracked unmanned vehicles
path tracking
reinforcement learning
pure pursuit
title Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
title_full Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
title_fullStr Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
title_full_unstemmed Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
title_short Research on Path Tracking Technology for Tracked Unmanned Vehicles Based on DDPG-PP
title_sort research on path tracking technology for tracked unmanned vehicles based on ddpg pp
topic tracked unmanned vehicles
path tracking
reinforcement learning
pure pursuit
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/603
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AT jiangyongmi researchonpathtrackingtechnologyfortrackedunmannedvehiclesbasedonddpgpp
AT lijinwang researchonpathtrackingtechnologyfortrackedunmannedvehiclesbasedonddpgpp
AT haidiwang researchonpathtrackingtechnologyfortrackedunmannedvehiclesbasedonddpgpp
AT hailongzhang researchonpathtrackingtechnologyfortrackedunmannedvehiclesbasedonddpgpp