Machine Learning Model Enhances Drone Formation Stability and Accuracy

A new machine learning model not only improves the prediction accuracy of disturbances in drone formations but also enhances operator decision-making through explainability, helping UAV swarms stay in sync even in the face of intrusions.

Research: Explainable machine learning model of disorganisation in swarms of drones. Image Credit: archy13 / ShutterstockResearch: Explainable machine learning model of disorganisation in swarms of drones. Image Credit: archy13 / Shutterstock

In an article published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers focused on developing a model to predict disturbances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formations caused by intrusions. They compared the effectiveness of six machine learning methods in managing UAV fleet stability and minimizing disorganization during missions. Rather than measuring simple accuracy, the researchers used the coefficient of determination (R²), with the best model achieving an R² value of 83.3% when tested using simulation data. This represented a significant improvement from the baseline R² of 54%, highlighting the model’s predictive power. Categorical boosting (CatBoost), a machine learning algorithm, outperformed others when tested using simulation data against this baseline. The results helped operators balance mission requirements and potential disruptions.

Addressing Gaps in UAV Collision Avoidance Models

The inclusion of derived variables played a critical role in improving model performance, as these variables captured nonlinearities in the system that were not reflected in the basic parameters alone. Maintaining stable formations and avoiding collisions in UAVs is critical for successful observation and sensing missions. Previous work has primarily focused on collision avoidance algorithms; however, these often overlook the impact of intruders on UAV formations. For instance, one study emphasized the challenges posed by unexpected disturbances, while another highlighted the necessity of understanding potential disruptions to adjust formation parameters.

Improved Predictive Accuracy Through Machine Learning

This paper addressed these gaps by presenting a predictive model utilizing machine learning methods, specifically CatBoost, to anticipate disturbances from intruders. The model achieved an R² value of 83.3%, significantly improving upon earlier multivariate linear regression models that had an R² value of only 54%. Additionally, it incorporated the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method to provide operators with actionable insights on how parameter adjustments influence predicted disturbances, enhancing the model's interpretability and explainability. This research advanced the field by offering tools that combined predictive analytics with practical guidance for managing UAV formations amid potential intrusions.

Role of SHAP in Enhancing Explainability for Operators

Explainability, achieved through the use of the SHAP method, was a key aspect of this research, allowing operators to understand how specific parameters, such as swarm size and spacing, impacted the predicted level of disturbance. By integrating these findings with domain knowledge, the researchers provided specific guidelines for drone operators, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding parameter adjustments to minimize disturbances and improve formation robustness. This work advanced the understanding of swarm behavior and offered practical tools for managing drone formations under intruder-induced disturbances.

Model Development and Evaluation Approach

The researchers focused on developing machine learning models to optimize the parameters of a stationary swarm of multi-rotor drones operating in grid formations with collision avoidance algorithms. The objective was to predict the increase in entropy—a measure of disorganization—caused by an intruder's passage through the formation. Building on prior work, which achieved an R² value of 54%, the authors sought to improve predictability and provide greater model explainability to support drone operators' decision-making. The research explored several machine learning models, including decision trees, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector regression (SVR), CatBoost, random forest (RF), and K-neighbors regressor, with an emphasis on explainability. Artificial neural networks were deliberately excluded due to their lack of transparency. CatBoost, known for its robust performance and interpretability, emerged as the best model, delivering an R² value of 83.3%.

The authors evaluated model performance using four metrics: the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE). Explainability was critically assessed using SHAP, which identified the influence of various parameters on entropy, such as swarm size, spacing, and safety zones. By integrating these findings with domain knowledge, the researchers provided guidelines for drone operators, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding parameter adjustments. This work advanced the understanding of swarm behavior and offered practical tools for managing drone formations under intruder-induced disturbances.

Key Findings: Dataset and Model Performance

The dataset, comprising 3,720 unique samples, represented averaged results from around 250,000 drone flights. The swarm parameters, including size, spacing, and anti-collision zones, were randomly selected within defined physical constraints. The analysis utilized machine learning models such as CatBoost, XGBoost, decision trees, RF, SVR, and K-neighbors regressor. Two groups of parameters, basic (swarm-specific) and basic with derived variables, were tested. The derived variables were introduced to better capture non-linearities within the system.

The CatBoost model, particularly with derived variables, achieved the highest prediction accuracy for cross-entropy, with an R² of 83.3%, outperforming the baseline model. This suggested that the inclusion of derived parameters improved model performance, especially in comparison to the original linear regression model, which had an R² value of only 54%. Other models like RF and XGBoost also showed improvements but with lower overall gains compared to CatBoost.

SHAP Analysis for Model Explainability

Explainability was examined through SHAP values, which provided insights into the contribution of specific parameters to cross-entropy, allowing operators to adjust swarm parameters effectively. The research highlighted the importance of swarm dynamics in cross-entropy predictions and suggested that advanced machine learning models, particularly CatBoost, offered better predictive insights for drone swarm management.

Conclusion: Advancing Predictive Models for UAV Formations

In conclusion, the researchers developed machine learning models to predict entropy in drone formations caused by intruders. CatBoost achieved an R² of 83.3% compared to an R² of 54% in the baseline model. Two sets of parameters were tested, showing the importance of incorporating derived variables. The SHAP method improved the model's interpretability, helping operators adjust parameters to minimize disorganization. While CatBoost outperformed other methods, future work will explore more advanced models like artificial neural networks. The research provided valuable insights for managing drone swarms and highlighted potential areas for further enhancement.

Soham Nandi

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Soham Nandi

Soham Nandi is a technical writer based in Memari, India. His academic background is in Computer Science Engineering, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. He has extensive experience in Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Python. He has worked on group projects that required the implementation of Computer Vision, Image Classification, and App Development.

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