Multi-UAV Coverage Path Planning Method Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization

The widespread application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has made the coverage path planning problem for multiple UAV systems a research hotspot. In this paper, we propose a multi-UAV solution to achieve complete coverage of multi-region. Based on this solution, we present an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm that combines PSO algorithm, greedy strategy, and back-and-forth (BAF) algorithm. Its purpose is to plan the optimal paths for multi-UAV while achieving the shortest total distance and the highest UAV cooperation efficiency with the minimum number of UAVs, thereby enhancing the multi-UAV coverage cooperation and path optimization capabilities. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of this algorithm.