Stochastic Heuristic Algorithms for Multi-UAV Cooperative Path Planning

Multi-UAV collaborative path planning (MUCPP) is a complex multi-objective optimization problem. Compared with the traditional path planning algorithms, stochastic heuristic algorithm (SHA) can solve this kind of problem more efficiently. In this paper, we first introduce several widely used UAV path planning algorithms. Then, recent works on MUCPP based on SHA are reviewed, where the feature, improvement and application, merits and demerits of those proposed algorithms are discussed. Finally, the challenges of path planning for multiple UAVs are put forward and the future development trend is prospected from the aspects of theoretical and applied research.