A Multi-Strategy Collaborative Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm for UAV Path Planning

Abstract

The Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm (GWO) is a member of the swarm intelligence algorithm family, which possesses the highlights of easy realization, simple parameter settings and wide applicability. However, in some large-scale application problems, the grey wolf optimization algorithm easily gets trapped in local optima, exhibits poor global exploration ability and suffers from premature convergence. Since grey wolf’s update is guided only by the best three wolves, it leads to low population multiplicity and poor global exploration capacity. In response to the above issues, we design a multi-strategy collaborative grey wolf optimization algorithm (NOGWO). Firstly, we use a random walk strategy to extend the exploration scope and enhance the algorithm’s global exploration capacity. Secondly, we add an opposition-based learning model influenced by refraction principle to generate an opposite solution for each population, thereby improving population multiplicity and preventing the algorithm from being attracted to local optima. Finally, to balance local exploration and global exploration and elevate the convergence effect, we introduce a novel convergent factor. We conduct experimental testing on NOGWO by using 30 CEC2017 test functions. The experimental outcomes indicate that compared with GWO and some swarm intelligence algorithms, NOGWO has better global exploration capacity and convergence accuracy. In addition, we also apply NOGWO to three engineering problems and an unmanned aerial vehicle path planning problem. The outcomes of the experiment suggest that NOGWO performs well in solving these practical problems.