Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers

Path planning for picking safflowers is a key component in ensuring the efficient operation of robotic safflower-picking systems. However, existing single-arm picking devices have become a bottleneck due to their limited operating range, and a breakthrough in multi-arm cooperative picking is urgentl...

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Main Authors: Zhenguo Zhang, Peng Xu, Binbin Xie, Yunze Wang, Ruimeng Shi, Junye Li, Wenjie Cao, Wenqiang Chu, Chao Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4459
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author Zhenguo Zhang
Peng Xu
Binbin Xie
Yunze Wang
Ruimeng Shi
Junye Li
Wenjie Cao
Wenqiang Chu
Chao Zeng
author_facet Zhenguo Zhang
Peng Xu
Binbin Xie
Yunze Wang
Ruimeng Shi
Junye Li
Wenjie Cao
Wenqiang Chu
Chao Zeng
author_sort Zhenguo Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Path planning for picking safflowers is a key component in ensuring the efficient operation of robotic safflower-picking systems. However, existing single-arm picking devices have become a bottleneck due to their limited operating range, and a breakthrough in multi-arm cooperative picking is urgently needed. To address the issue of inadequate adaptability in current path planning strategies for dual-arm systems, this paper proposes a novel path planning method for dual-arm picking (LTSACO). The technique centers on a dynamic-weight heuristic strategy and achieves optimization through the following steps: first, the K-means clustering algorithm divides the target area; second, the heuristic mechanism of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is improved by dynamically adjusting the weight factor of the state transition probability, thereby enhancing the diversity of path selection; third, a 2-OPT local search strategy eliminates path crossings through neighborhood search; finally, a cubic Bézier curve heuristically smooths and optimizes the picking trajectory, ensuring the continuity of the trajectory’s curvature. Experimental results show that the length of the parallelogram trajectory, after smoothing with the Bézier curve, is reduced by 20.52% compared to the gantry trajectory. In terms of average picking time, the LTSACO algorithm reduces the time by 2.00%, 2.60%, and 5.60% compared to DCACO, IACO, and the traditional ACO algorithm, respectively. In conclusion, the LTSACO algorithm demonstrates high efficiency and strong robustness, providing an effective optimization solution for multi-arm cooperative picking and significantly contributing to the advancement of multi-arm robotic picking systems.
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spelling doaj-art-b5637af90bb442fcb3b915af033498df2025-08-20T02:47:17ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514445910.3390/s25144459Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density SafflowersZhenguo Zhang0Peng Xu1Binbin Xie2Yunze Wang3Ruimeng Shi4Junye Li5Wenjie Cao6Wenqiang Chu7Chao Zeng8College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaPath planning for picking safflowers is a key component in ensuring the efficient operation of robotic safflower-picking systems. However, existing single-arm picking devices have become a bottleneck due to their limited operating range, and a breakthrough in multi-arm cooperative picking is urgently needed. To address the issue of inadequate adaptability in current path planning strategies for dual-arm systems, this paper proposes a novel path planning method for dual-arm picking (LTSACO). The technique centers on a dynamic-weight heuristic strategy and achieves optimization through the following steps: first, the K-means clustering algorithm divides the target area; second, the heuristic mechanism of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is improved by dynamically adjusting the weight factor of the state transition probability, thereby enhancing the diversity of path selection; third, a 2-OPT local search strategy eliminates path crossings through neighborhood search; finally, a cubic Bézier curve heuristically smooths and optimizes the picking trajectory, ensuring the continuity of the trajectory’s curvature. Experimental results show that the length of the parallelogram trajectory, after smoothing with the Bézier curve, is reduced by 20.52% compared to the gantry trajectory. In terms of average picking time, the LTSACO algorithm reduces the time by 2.00%, 2.60%, and 5.60% compared to DCACO, IACO, and the traditional ACO algorithm, respectively. In conclusion, the LTSACO algorithm demonstrates high efficiency and strong robustness, providing an effective optimization solution for multi-arm cooperative picking and significantly contributing to the advancement of multi-arm robotic picking systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4459picking robotdual-arm collaborationant colony optimizationpath planningpicking trajectory
spellingShingle Zhenguo Zhang
Peng Xu
Binbin Xie
Yunze Wang
Ruimeng Shi
Junye Li
Wenjie Cao
Wenqiang Chu
Chao Zeng
Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
Sensors
picking robot
dual-arm collaboration
ant colony optimization
path planning
picking trajectory
title Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
title_full Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
title_fullStr Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
title_full_unstemmed Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
title_short Investigation into the Efficient Cooperative Planning Approach for Dual-Arm Picking Sequences of Dwarf, High-Density Safflowers
title_sort investigation into the efficient cooperative planning approach for dual arm picking sequences of dwarf high density safflowers
topic picking robot
dual-arm collaboration
ant colony optimization
path planning
picking trajectory
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4459
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