Obstacle Avoidance Path Planning of a 4-DOF Weapon Arm Based on Improved RRT (RRT-H) Algorithm

To improve soldiers’ combat capability, weapon arms have a good development prospect. However, due to special work scenarios and tasks, new requirements are exerted on. Based on the fast-expanding random tree algorithm (RRT), path algorithm optimization (RRT-H) is proposed for the path planning of weapon arms. Overall path optimization is achieved by reducing the local path length with a closer path point planning to the obstacle. In a complex environment, the RRT-H algorithm can avoid local traps by guiding the new path extension direction and exploring multiple different paths in the map. The superiority of this algorithm is verified with 2D plane obstacle avoidance and pathfinding simulation experiments. Compared to RRT∗, RRT∗ smart, and information RRT∗, the RRT-H can obtain high-quality calculation results in a shorter time. After setting degrees of freedom (DOF) as that of variables, the algorithm is applied to the 4-DOF weapon arm, which confirms an effective reduction to the 4-DOF weapon arm’s motion costs.