Implementing a Robust and Scalable Detect-and-Avoid Algorithm for UAV Navigation in ROS

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have garnered significant attention from the research community during the last decade, due to their diverse capabilities and potential applications. One of the most critical functions that drones must execute efficiently is navigation in real-world environments. This paper presents a decentralized approach for enabling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to navigate safely in unknown environments and avoid obstacles. Leveraging the Optimal Reciprocal Collision Avoidance (ORCA) algorithm, implemented in the Robot Operating System (ROS), our method facilitates conflict detection and resolution in 2D environments. Through simulations using ROS, Gazebo, and Iris drones, we validate the effectiveness of our approach in scenarios with initial trajectory conflicts. Our work addresses the pressing need for UAVs to autonomously plan and execute safe flights, laying the groundwork for enhanced UAV capabilities in various real-world applications. The simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of our approach.