Topology-preserved distorted space path planning

Purpose Fast obstacle avoidance path planning is a challenging task for multijoint robots navigating through cluttered workspaces. This paper aims to address this issue by proposing an improved path-planning method based on the distorted space (DS) method, specifically designed for high-dimensional complex environments. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method, termed topology-preserved distorted space (TP-DS) method, mitigates the limitations of the original DS method by preserving space topology through elastic deformation. By applying distinct spring constants, the TP-DS autonomously shrinks obstacles to microscopic areas within the configuration space, maintaining consistent topology. This enhancement extends the application scope of the DS method to handle complex environments effectively. Findings Comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed TP-DS method outperforms traditional methods regarding planning efficiency. Successful obstacle avoidance tasks in the cluttered workspace validate its applicability on a physical 6-DOF manipulator, highlighting its potential for industrial implementations. Originality/value The novel TP-DS method generates a topology-preserved collision-free space by leveraging elastic deformation and shows significant capability and efficiency in planning obstacle-avoidance paths in complex application scenarios.