Method and apparatus for optimal path generation

1. A method for optimal path generation, the method comprising:

generating a candidate path to be taken by a platform to move from a start point to a final point;

splitting the candidate path into a preset number of sections;

calculating a curvature variation of each of the sections by dividing a difference between a curvature of a start point of each of the sections and a curvature of a final point of each of the sections by an interval of each of the sections;

acquiring an optimal path parameter that minimizes a sum of the curvature variations or a sum of squares of the curvature variations, by changing a path parameter of the candidate path;

determining, as an optimal path, the candidate path corresponding to the optimal path parameter; and

generating a movement path for a mobile robot based on the determined optimal path.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the candidate path comprises:

determining adjusting points based on the path parameter; and

generating a Bezier curve based on the adjusting points.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the determining the adjusting points comprises determining a predetermined number of adjusting points based on the path parameter, state information of the platform at the start point, and state information of the platform at the final point, and

wherein the generating the Bezier curve comprises generating a quintic Bezier curve based on the predetermined number of adjusting points.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the state information comprises information about at least one of an x-coordinate, a y-coordinate, a direction, and a curvature.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the state information comprises information about an x-coordinate, a y-coordinate, a direction, and a curvature.

6. An apparatus for optimal path generation, the apparatus comprising:

a candidate path generator configured to generate a candidate path to be taken by a platform to move from a start point to a final point;

a section splitter configured to split the candidate path into a preset number of sections;

a curvature variation calculator configured to calculate a curvature variation of each of the sections by dividing a difference between a curvature of a start point of each of the sections and a curvature of a final point of each of the sections by an interval of each of the sections;

an optimal path parameter acquirer configured to acquire an optimal path parameter that minimizes a sum of the curvature variations, by changing a path parameter of the candidate path; and

an optimal path determiner configured to determine the candidate path corresponding to the optimal path parameter as an optimal path and generate a movement path for a mobile robot based on the determined optimal path.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the candidate path generator comprises:

an adjusting point determiner configured to determine adjusting points based on the path parameter; and

a Bezier curve generator configured to generate a Bezier curve, based on the adjusting points.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the adjusting point determiner is configured to determine four adjusting points based on the path parameter, state information of the platform of the start point, and state information of the platform of the final point, and

wherein the Bezier curve generator is configured to generate a quintic Bezier curve based on the four adjusting points.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the state information comprises information about at least one of an x-coordinate, a y-coordinate, a direction, and a curvature.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the state information comprises information about an x-coordinate, a y-coordinate, a direction, and a curvature.