A Systematic Literature Review: Fourier Analysis as a Mathematical Tool for Robot Navigation

The introduction of Fourier analysis or series in robot navigation algorithms greatly improves the capability to find solutions to many inherent applications and tasks of robotic systems. This paper presents a systematic literature review on using Fourier analysis as a mathematical tool for robot navigation, analyzing a total of 51 articles from selected databases. The review identifies and clusters the articles based on operational attributes, providing insights into the usage of Fourier analysis in various application fields, including the benefits of applying such approaches for future control developments and designs. Research integrating Fourier analysis into the robotic applications of pick-and-place, transportation, configuration space and exploration, spacecraft trajectory and medical purposes has highlighted multiple potentials of the mathematical tool. Fourier analysis is capable of uncertainty compensation in systems, deliverance in repetitive and contact tasks, operating in partially known systems, and optimizing paths. The systematic review also reveals future directions that can be addressed in the field of robot navigation using the Fourier analysis.