Enhanced Energy Efficiency through Path Planning for Off-Road Missions of Unmanned Tracked Electric Vehicle

Abstract

The primary objective of this research is to address the existing gap about the use of a path-planning algorithm that will reduce energy consumption in off-road applications of tracked electric vehicles. The study focuses on examining various off-road terrains and their impact on energy consumption to validate the effectiveness of the proposed solution. To achieve this, a tracked electric vehicle energy model that incorporates vehicle dynamics is developed and verified using real vehicle driving data logs. This model serves as the foundation for devising a strategy that can effectively enhance the energy efficiency of off-road tracked electric vehicles in real-world scenarios. The analysis involves a thorough examination of different off-road terrains to identify strategies that can adapt to diverse landscapes. The path planning strategy employed in this study is a modified version of the A*, called the Energy-Efficient Path Planning (EEPP) algorithm, specifically tailored for the dynamic energy consumption model of off-road tracked electric vehicles. The energy consumption of the produced paths is then compared using the validated energy consumption model of the tracked electric vehicle. It is important to note that the identification of an energy-efficient path heavily relies on the characteristics of the vehicle and the dynamic energy consumption model that has been developed. Furthermore, the algorithm takes into account real-world and practical considerations associated with off-road applications during its development and evaluation process. The results of the comprehensive analysis comparing the EEPP algorithm with the A* algorithm demonstrate that our proposed approach achieves energy savings of up to 6.93% and extends the vehicle’s operational range by 7.45%.