A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs

Obstacle avoidance is crucial for the successful completion of UAV missions. Static and dynamic obstacles, such as trees, buildings, flying birds, or other UAVs, can threaten these missions. As a result, safe path planning is essential, particularly for missions involving multiple UAVs. Collision-fr...

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Main Authors: Ahmad Merei, Hamid Mcheick, Alia Ghaddar, Djamal Rebaine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Drones
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/3/203
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author Ahmad Merei
Hamid Mcheick
Alia Ghaddar
Djamal Rebaine
author_facet Ahmad Merei
Hamid Mcheick
Alia Ghaddar
Djamal Rebaine
author_sort Ahmad Merei
collection DOAJ
description Obstacle avoidance is crucial for the successful completion of UAV missions. Static and dynamic obstacles, such as trees, buildings, flying birds, or other UAVs, can threaten these missions. As a result, safe path planning is essential, particularly for missions involving multiple UAVs. Collision-free paths can be designed in either 2D or 3D environments, depending on the scenario. This study provides an overview of recent advancements in obstacle avoidance and path planning for UAVs. These methods are compared based on various criteria, including avoidance techniques, obstacle types, the environment explored, sensor equipment, map types, and path statuses. Additionally, this paper includes a process addressing obstacle detection and avoidance and reviews the evolution of obstacle detection and avoidance (ODA) techniques in UAVs over the past decade.
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spelling doaj-art-bf584367bfb8476db9a40b58c2be6de72025-08-20T02:11:22ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-03-019320310.3390/drones9030203A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVsAhmad Merei0Hamid Mcheick1Alia Ghaddar2Djamal Rebaine3Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, CanadaDepartment of Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, CanadaDepartment of Computer Science, The International University of Beirut, Mouseitbeh, Mazraa, Beirut P.O. Box 146404, LebanonDepartment of Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, CanadaObstacle avoidance is crucial for the successful completion of UAV missions. Static and dynamic obstacles, such as trees, buildings, flying birds, or other UAVs, can threaten these missions. As a result, safe path planning is essential, particularly for missions involving multiple UAVs. Collision-free paths can be designed in either 2D or 3D environments, depending on the scenario. This study provides an overview of recent advancements in obstacle avoidance and path planning for UAVs. These methods are compared based on various criteria, including avoidance techniques, obstacle types, the environment explored, sensor equipment, map types, and path statuses. Additionally, this paper includes a process addressing obstacle detection and avoidance and reviews the evolution of obstacle detection and avoidance (ODA) techniques in UAVs over the past decade.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/3/203unmanned aerial vehicleobstacle avoidancecollision freenon-flying zonespath planning
spellingShingle Ahmad Merei
Hamid Mcheick
Alia Ghaddar
Djamal Rebaine
A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
Drones
unmanned aerial vehicle
obstacle avoidance
collision free
non-flying zones
path planning
title A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
title_full A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
title_fullStr A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
title_full_unstemmed A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
title_short A Survey on Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for UAVs
title_sort survey on obstacle detection and avoidance methods for uavs
topic unmanned aerial vehicle
obstacle avoidance
collision free
non-flying zones
path planning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/3/203
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