To address the problems of local minimum traps and unreachable targets in the traditional artificial potential field method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning, we propose a phased strategy of artificial potential fields. We use the traditional artificial potential field guidance in the early stage, and then integrate the global optimization characteristics of the simulated annealing algorithm to overcome the local minima. Then, at a later stage, we use improved artificial potential field guidance with an increased repulsive adaptive correction factor to address target unreachability. Finally, the key nodes of the path are extracted, and the path nodes are optimized and smoothed using cubic B-spline curves. Experimental results in a 3D environment show that the method can solve the UAV local-minimum trap and unreachable-target problem and plan a relatively smooth and safe path without colliding with obstacle. The results show that our method is feasible, effective and has potential application value.
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