*Result*: Vision-Controlled autonomous navigation in unstructured environments: Integrating image processing, path planning, and trajectory control in robotic systems.

Title:
Vision-Controlled autonomous navigation in unstructured environments: Integrating image processing, path planning, and trajectory control in robotic systems.
Authors:
Wang P; Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China., Yu H; Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, China., Wang S; Department of Electrical Engineering, Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology, Shijiazhuang, China.
Source:
PloS one [PLoS One] 2026 Mar 05; Vol. 21 (3), pp. e0341589. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 05 (Print Publication: 2026).
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Public Library of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101285081 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19326203 NLM ISO Abbreviation: PLoS One Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20260305 Date Completed: 20260307 Latest Revision: 20260308
Update Code:
20260308
PubMed Central ID:
PMC12962531
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0341589
PMID:
41785215
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have driven robotics to the forefront of technological innovation, enhancing productivity and safety across industries. Autonomous navigation, especially in unstructured environments with irregular terrains and dynamic obstacles, remains a key challenge. This paper introduces a vision-controlled autonomous navigation framework that enables robots to traverse complex environments using only vision sensors and image processing. The system integrates visual segmentation, optimized path planning, and advanced trajectory tracking. Key contributions include: (1) Semantic Mapping and Localization - A target detection network generates a global semantic map from local views, enhancing perception without external markers; (2) Improved Path Planning - The RRT-connect algorithm is refined for safer, adaptive navigation in unpredictable terrains; (3) Accurate Trajectory Control-A Soft Actor-Critic (SAC)-based model reduces tracking errors and enhances path-following precision; (4) Empirical Validation - Experiments with a magnetic miniature robot in unstructured environments confirm the system's robustness and accuracy. The proposed framework addresses existing limitations, paving the way for more autonomous and resilient robotic systems in complex environments.
(Copyright: © 2026 Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)*

*The author declares no competing interests.*