Integration of A* Search and Classic Optimal Control for Safe Planning of Continuum Deformation of a Multiquadcopter System

This article offers an algorithmic approach to plan continuum deformation of a multiquadcopter system (MQS) in an obstacle-laden environment. We treat the MQS as a finite number of particles of a deformable body coordinating under a homogeneous transformation. We define the MQS homogeneous deformation coordination as a decentralized leader–follower problem and integrate the principles of continuum mechanics, A* search method, and optimal control approach to safety and optimally plan MQS continuum deformation coordination. In particular, we apply the principles of continuum mechanics to obtain the safety constraints, use the A* search method to assign the intermediate configurations of the leaders by minimizing the travel distance of the MQS, and determine the leaders’ optimal trajectories by solving a constrained optimal control problem. The optimal planning of the continuum deformation coordination is acquired by the quadcopter team in a decentralized fashion through local communication.