Path Planning for Dragon-Fruit-Harvesting Robotic Arm Based on XN-RRT* Algorithm

This paper proposes an enhanced RRT* algorithm (XN-RRT*) to address the challenges of low path planning efficiency and suboptimal picking success rates in complex pitaya harvesting environments. The algorithm generates sampling points based on normal distribution and dynamically adjusts the center and range of the sampling distribution according to the target distance and tree density, thus reducing redundant sampling. An improved artificial potential field method is employed during tree expansion, incorporating adjustment factors and target points to refine the guidance of sampling points and overcome local optima and infeasible targets. A greedy algorithm is then used to remove redundant nodes, shorten the path, and apply cubic B-spline curves to smooth the path, improving the stability and continuity of the robotic arm. Simulations in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional environments demonstrate that the XN-RRT* algorithm performs effectively, with fewer iterations, high convergence efficiency, and superior path quality. The simulation of a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm in a pitaya orchard environment using the ROS2 platform shows that the XN-RRT* algorithm achieves a 98% picking path planning success rate, outperforming the RRT* algorithm by 90.32%, with a 27.12% reduction in path length and a 14% increase in planning success rate. The experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm exhibits excellent overall performance in complex harvesting environments, offering a valuable reference for robotic arm path planning.