Flight Path Planning Method for UAM Considering Urban Airflow Based on A* Algorithm
Min-Chang Kim, Eder Guerra Padilla Giancarlo, Kee-Ho Yu · Journal of Institute of Control Robotics and Systems · 2023
Urban air mobility (UAM) is widely anticipated as a solution to urban traffic challenges, and numerous companies, including Joby Aviation and Airbus, are actively developing aircraft for this purpose. However, there are several challenges associated with commercializing UAM, such as obtaining airworthiness certification and establishing the necessary systems and policies. Moreover, UAM operates, especially with low-weight electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are susceptible to the influence of winds. To address the issue of wind influence, this study presents a method for predicting urban airflow and flight path planning that circumvents wind-hazard areas. Since real-time measurements often fall short in predicting urban airflow accurately, computational fluid dynamics software, OpenFOAM was used to obtain urban airflow data. We have adapted the A* algorithm to create flight paths that avoid wind-hazard areas. The path planning based on A* was conducted according to the defined simulation scenario. Finally, the generated flight paths were compared, and their distinctive characteristics were discussed.