Obstacle avoidance using echo sounder sonar

Developing obstacle avoidance algorithms for low cost Autonomous Underwater Vehicles using single beam returned echo sounder sonar is a difficult task. In this paper, we propose an intelligent obstacle avoidance algorithm that maps the obstacle, avoids it with a guarantee that it will not get stuck and efficiently traverses a path towards the destination using navigation functions. We present a complete obstacle avoidance system with the help of hybrid automata, probabilistic mapping and navigation functions. Simulation results are presented showing the validity of our approach.