A Searching Technique for Obstacle-Avoidance of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles by Using the Self-Tuning Fuzzy Controller

This study develops a heuristic searching technique for obstacle-avoidance of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in varying ocean environments by using the self-tuning fuzzy controller. The corresponding hydrodynamic coefficients for the AUV are obtained by the test of Planar Motion Mechanism (PMM), which serves as the important data inputs for the control system. Subsequently, the self-tuning fuzzy controller would be adopted to command the propulsion of AUVs. The function of obstacle-avoidance is based on the underwater image detection method with the BK triangle sub-product of fuzzy relations which can evaluate the safety and remoteness of the candidate routes and the successive optimal strategic routing can then be selected. In the present simulations, the current effect is used to investigate the maneuvering performance of obstacle-avoidance. Eventually, the present study indicates that the self-tuning fuzzy controller, combined with the image detection technique based on BK triangle sub-product of fuzzy relations, is verified to be a useful searching technique for obstacle-avoidance of AUVs in depth variation.