Design of a fuzzy controller in mobile robotics using genetic algorithms

The design of fuzzy controllers for the implementation of behaviors in mobile robotics is a complex and highly time-consuming task. The use of machine learning techniques, such as evolutionary algorithms or artificial neural networks for the learning of these controllers allows to automate the design process. In this paper, the automated design of a fuzzy controller using genetic algorithms for the implementation of the wall-following behavior in a mobile robot is described. The algorithm is based on the Iterative Rule Learning (IRL) approach, and a parameter (d) is defined with the aim of selecting the relation between the number of rules and the quality and accuracy of the controller. The designer has to define the universe of discourse and the precision of each variable, and also the scoring function. No restrictions are placed neither in the number of linguistic labels nor in the values that define the membership functions. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.