UAV path planning using MILP with experiments

Abstract

In this paper, we look at the problem of tracking icebergs using multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our solutions use combinatorial optimization for UAV path planning by formulating a mixed integer linear programing (MILP) optimization problem. To demonstrate the approach, we present both a simulation and a practical experiment. The simulation demonstrates the possibilities of the MILP algorithm by constructing a case where three UAVs help a boat make a safe passage through an area with icebergs. Furthermore, we compare the performance of three against a single UAV. In the practical experiment, we take the first step towards full-scale experiments. We run the algorithm on a ground station and use it to set the path for a UAV tracking five simulated icebergs.