Applied Soft Computing Strategies for Autonomous Field Robotics

Abstract

This chapter addresses computing strategies designed to enable field mobile robots to execute tasks requiring effective autonomous traversal of natural outdoor terrain. The primary focus is on computer vision-based perception and autonomous control. Hard computing methods are combined with applied soft computing strategies in the context of three case studies associated with real-world robotics tasks including planetary surface exploration and land survey or reconnaissance. Each case study covers strategies implemented on wheeled robot research prototypes designed for field operations.