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arXiv · 1607.01883

Sampling-based Incremental Information Gathering with Applications to Robotic Exploration and Environmental Monitoring

Maani Ghaffari Jadidi·Jaime Valls Miro·Gamini Dissanayake
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Abstract

In this article, we propose a sampling-based motion planning algorithm equipped with an information-theoretic convergence criterion for incremental informative motion planning. The proposed approach allows dense map representations and incorporates the full state uncertainty into the planning process. The problem is formulated as a constrained maximization problem. Our approach is built on rapidly-exploring information gathering algorithms and benefits from advantages of sampling-based optimal motion planning algorithms. We propose two information functions and their variants for fast and online computations. We prove an information-theoretic convergence for an entire exploration and information gathering mission based on the least upper bound of the average map entropy. A natural automatic stopping criterion for information-driven motion control results from the convergence analysis. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms using three scenarios: comparison of the proposed information functions and sensor configuration selection, robotic exploration in unknown environments, and a wireless signal strength monitoring task in a lake from a publicly available dataset collected using an autonomous surface vehicle.

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Maani Ghaffari Jadidi, Jaime Valls Miro, Gamini Dissanayake. 2017-09-23. Sampling-based Incremental Information Gathering with Applications to Robotic Exploration and Environmental Monitoring. https://doi.org/10.1177/0278364919844575

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