The Performance Evaluation of Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Autonomous Navigation in Simulated Environments Using NS2 and Air-Sim-DRL


Authors : Rahul Singh; Satish Kumbhar

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/y5wn6uph

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may896

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Abstract : This study presents an exploration into the use of Reinforcement Learning (RL), specifically Deep Q-Networks (DQN), for autonomous drone navigation within complex, obstacle-rich environments. Utilizing Microsoft’s AirSim simulator and an open-source DRL integration framework (AirsimDRL), the research trains a drone to intelligently reach target destinations while avoiding collisions. The agent interacts with a dynamic simulated world, learning optimal control strategies from scratch. The study aims to bridge the gap between traditional UAV path planning and intelligent, learning- based navigation systems, laying the foundation for real-world autonomous drone applications.

Keywords : Reinforcement Learning (RL), Deep Q-Network (DQN), Autonomous Drone Navigation, AirSim Simulator, UAV, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), Obstacle Avoidance, Smart Mobility, AI-based Navigation, Flight Path Optimization.

References :

  1. Sunghoon Hong. AirsimDRL. GitHub Repository: https://github.com/sunghoonhong/AirsimDRL
  2. Microsoft AirSim Documentation. https://microsoft.github.io/AirSim
  3. Mnih, V., et al. (2015). Human-level control through deep reinforcement learning. Nature, 518, 529–533.
  4. Lillicrap, T., et al. (2015). Continuous control with deep reinforcement learning. arXiv:1509.02971
  5. OpenAI Spinning Up. An Educational Resource on RL. https://spinningup.openai.com
  6. Mnih, V., Kavukcuoglu, K., Silver, D., et al. (2015). Human-level control through deep reinforcement learning. Nature, 518(7540), 529–533. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14236
  7. Lillicrap, T.P., Hunt, J.J., Pritzel, A., et al. (2016). Continuous control with deep reinforcement learning. arXiv preprint, arXiv:1509.02971. https://arxiv.org/abs/1509.02971
  8. Shah, S., Dey, D., Lovett, C., Kapoor, A. (2017). AirSim: High-Fidelity Visual and Physical Simulation for Autonomous Vehicles. Field and Service Robotics (FSR). https://github.com/microsoft/AirSim
  9. Zhang, W., Liu, H., Chen, Y., et al. (2023). RL-based obstacle avoidance for UAVs in urban environments.
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This study presents an exploration into the use of Reinforcement Learning (RL), specifically Deep Q-Networks (DQN), for autonomous drone navigation within complex, obstacle-rich environments. Utilizing Microsoft’s AirSim simulator and an open-source DRL integration framework (AirsimDRL), the research trains a drone to intelligently reach target destinations while avoiding collisions. The agent interacts with a dynamic simulated world, learning optimal control strategies from scratch. The study aims to bridge the gap between traditional UAV path planning and intelligent, learning- based navigation systems, laying the foundation for real-world autonomous drone applications.

Keywords : Reinforcement Learning (RL), Deep Q-Network (DQN), Autonomous Drone Navigation, AirSim Simulator, UAV, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), Obstacle Avoidance, Smart Mobility, AI-based Navigation, Flight Path Optimization.

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