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Simultaneous Path Planning and Task Allocation in Dynamic Environments
Halmstad University, School of Information Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6119-6615
2025 (English)In: Robotics, E-ISSN 2218-6581, Vol. 14, no 2, p. 1-21, article id 17Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper addresses the challenge of coordinating task allocation and generating collision-free trajectories for a fleet of mobile robots in dynamic environments. Our approach introduces an integrated framework comprising a centralized task allocation system and a distributed trajectory planner. The centralized task allocation system, employing a heuristic approach, aims to minimize the maximum spatial cost among the slowest robots. Tasks and trajectories are continuously refined using a distributed version of CHOMP (Covariant Hamiltonian Optimization for Motion Planning), tailored for multiple-wheeled mobile robots where the spatial costs are derived from a high-level global path planner. By employing this combined methodology, we are able to achieve near-optimal solutions and collision-free trajectories with computational performance for up to 50 robots within seconds. © 2025 the authors.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Basel: MDPI, 2025. Vol. 14, no 2, p. 1-21, article id 17
Keywords [en]
task allocation, trajectory planner, path conflicts
National Category
Robotics and automation
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-55664DOI: 10.3390/robotics14020017ISI: 001430970100001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85218875910OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-55664DiVA, id: diva2:1946583
Note

Ingår i avhandling. Titeln stämmer inte med titeln i avhandlingens "List of Publications" s.ix

Available from: 2025-03-21 Created: 2025-03-21 Last updated: 2026-01-07Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. A Hybrid Task Allocation and Motion Planning Framework for Mobile Robots
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Hybrid Task Allocation and Motion Planning Framework for Mobile Robots
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This thesis investigates the challenges associated with task allocation and motion planning in dynamic and complex environments involving fleets of mobile robots. The primary objective is to coordinate task allocation and trajectory planning in a manner that promotes balanced workload distribution, formulated as the minimization of the maximum operational cost incurred by any individual robot. A hybrid planning framework is proposed in which centralized task allocation and global path planning are performed under static assumptions, while execution-level feasibility is maintained through local trajectory refinement. Task allocation is formulated using a permutation-matrix representation and explored using multiple solution strategies, including deterministic annealing with Potts neurons, stochastic simulated annealing, and heuristic graph-based methods. The cost matrix, derived from global path planners and representing path length and/or traversal time, enables a systematic comparison of these approaches in terms of solution quality, computational complexity, and scalability. The results indicate that deterministic annealing can produce high-quality, balanced task allocations for small- to mediumscale problem instances, while heuristic methods offer improved robustness and computational efficiency in larger or time-critical scenarios. At the motion-planning level, the framework adapts the CHOMP (Covariant Hamiltonian Optimization for Motion Planning) algorithm to account for the kinematic constraints of non-holonomic wheeled mobile robots. Rather than serving as a standalone global planner, the modified CHOMP formulation is used as a local trajectory refinement mechanism, enabling collision avoidance and feasibility preservation during execution. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that this approach improves trajectory smoothness and feasibility in moderately dynamic environments, while also highlighting limitations related to scalability and sensitivity to initialization. Overall, this thesis presents an integrated task and motion planning framework that emphasizes structured problem formulation and systematic trade-off analysis rather than universal optimality. By explicitly examining the conditions under which different allocation and motion-planning strategies are effective, the work contributes practical insights into multi-robot coordination and supports the informed deployment of autonomous robotic systems in industrial and logistics automation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Halmstad: Halmstad University Press, 2025. p. 57
Series
Halmstad University Dissertations ; 140
Keywords
mobile robots, motion planning, task allocation, multiple robots
National Category
Robotics and automation
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58123 (URN)978-91-90123-06-5 (ISBN)978-91-90123-07-2 (ISBN)
Public defence
2026-02-04, S3030, Kristian IV:s väg 3, Halmstad, 13:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2026-01-08 Created: 2026-01-07 Last updated: 2026-01-08Bibliographically approved

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David, JenniferValencia, Rafael

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