A Sampling-Based Distributed Exploration Method for UAV Cluster in Unknown Environments

Rapidly completing the exploration and construction of unknown environments is an important task of a UAV cluster. However, the formulation of an online autonomous exploration strategy based on a real-time detection map is still a problem that needs to be discussed and optimized. In this paper, we propose a distributed unknown environment exploration framework for a UAV cluster that comprehensively considers the path and terminal state gain, which is called the Distributed Next-Best-Path and Terminal (DNBPT) method. This method calculates the gain by comprehensively calculating the new exploration grid brought by the exploration path and the guidance of the terminal state to the unexplored area to guide the UAV’s next decision. We propose a suitable multistep selective sampling method and an improved Discrete Binary Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm for path optimization. The simulation results show that the DNBPT can realize rapid exploration under high coverage conditions in multiple scenes.