Potential field methods and their inherent limitations for mobile robot navigation

Based on a rigorous mathematical analysis, the authors present a systematic overview and a critical discussion of the inherent problems of potential field methods (PFMs). The authors previously (1989) developed a PFM called the virtual force field (VFF) method. Much insight has been gained into the strengths and weaknesses of this method. Four distinct drawbacks with PFMs are identified. Because of these drawbacks, the authors abandoned potential field methods and developed a new method for fast obstacle avoidance. This method, called the vector field histogram method, produces smooth, nonoscillatory motion, while sampling time and hardware are identical to those used in the VFF method.>