Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains

Navigating rough terrains requires a robust path planning algorithm that accounts for the physical properties of the environment to maintain stability and ensure safety. This article proposes the Hybrid A*-guided Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI) algorithm augmented with traversability estimatio...

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Main Authors: Joonyeol Yang , Minhyeong Kang , Seulchan Lee, Sanghyun Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Mathematics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/810
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author Joonyeol Yang 
Minhyeong Kang 
Seulchan Lee
Sanghyun Kim
author_facet Joonyeol Yang 
Minhyeong Kang 
Seulchan Lee
Sanghyun Kim
author_sort Joonyeol Yang 
collection DOAJ
description Navigating rough terrains requires a robust path planning algorithm that accounts for the physical properties of the environment to maintain stability and ensure safety. This article proposes the Hybrid A*-guided Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI) algorithm augmented with traversability estimation to address the challenges of path planning on uneven terrains. The traversability estimation process quantifies surface characteristics, such as slope and roughness to identify traversable regions. Using this information, the Hybrid A* algorithm computes paths that minimize surface irregularities and prioritize regions with lower gradients, thereby enhancing stability and reducing dynamic disturbances. These computed paths are then used to define the mean control input for the MPPI algorithm, which performs localized optimization while adhering to the terrain-aware trajectory. By integrating terrain-aware guidance through the Hybrid A* algorithm with the MPPI, the proposed methodology automates the selection of the appropriate mean control input and enhances control performance by explicitly incorporating terrain properties into the planning process. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to navigate complex terrains with reduced roll and pitch motions, contributing to improved stability and performance.
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spelling doaj-art-b3f8ff3f467a476cb8c03ad24db65e9d2025-08-20T02:53:02ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902025-02-0113581010.3390/math13050810Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough TerrainsJoonyeol Yang 0Minhyeong Kang 1Seulchan Lee2Sanghyun Kim3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of KoreaNavigating rough terrains requires a robust path planning algorithm that accounts for the physical properties of the environment to maintain stability and ensure safety. This article proposes the Hybrid A*-guided Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI) algorithm augmented with traversability estimation to address the challenges of path planning on uneven terrains. The traversability estimation process quantifies surface characteristics, such as slope and roughness to identify traversable regions. Using this information, the Hybrid A* algorithm computes paths that minimize surface irregularities and prioritize regions with lower gradients, thereby enhancing stability and reducing dynamic disturbances. These computed paths are then used to define the mean control input for the MPPI algorithm, which performs localized optimization while adhering to the terrain-aware trajectory. By integrating terrain-aware guidance through the Hybrid A* algorithm with the MPPI, the proposed methodology automates the selection of the appropriate mean control input and enhances control performance by explicitly incorporating terrain properties into the planning process. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to navigate complex terrains with reduced roll and pitch motions, contributing to improved stability and performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/810autonomous navigationtraversability estimationpath planningmodel predictive path integral
spellingShingle Joonyeol Yang 
Minhyeong Kang 
Seulchan Lee
Sanghyun Kim
Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
Mathematics
autonomous navigation
traversability estimation
path planning
model predictive path integral
title Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
title_full Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
title_fullStr Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
title_short Hybrid A*-Guided Model Predictive Path Integral Control for Robust Navigation in Rough Terrains
title_sort hybrid a guided model predictive path integral control for robust navigation in rough terrains
topic autonomous navigation
traversability estimation
path planning
model predictive path integral
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/810
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AT minhyeongkang hybridaguidedmodelpredictivepathintegralcontrolforrobustnavigationinroughterrains
AT seulchanlee hybridaguidedmodelpredictivepathintegralcontrolforrobustnavigationinroughterrains
AT sanghyunkim hybridaguidedmodelpredictivepathintegralcontrolforrobustnavigationinroughterrains