AI- Powered Autonomous Rover for Terrain Navigation and Obstacles Avoidance

Abstract

Exploring unknown or dangerous environments without risking human life is becoming increasingly important, and this project focuses on developing a smart and affordable AI-powered rover capable of navigating outdoor terrains while detecting obstacles in real time. The rover uses a Raspberry Pi 5 as its brain, along with a camera and sensors that help it understand its surroundings. A machine learning model is used to recognize obstacles, while an ultrasonic sensor measures distance and an IMU maintains balance and stability. By combining all this information, the rover can make quick decisions, avoid collisions, and adjust its movement based on terrain conditions such as grass, soil, and gravel. A key feature of the system is its flexibility, as it can operate autonomously or be controlled manually through a simple web-based interface that provides live video streaming. This allows human intervention whenever required. The rover was tested in real outdoor conditions, where it demonstrated smooth movement, reliable obstacle detection, and adaptability to different surfaces. Overall, the project shows that an intelligent and effective autonomous system can be built using low-cost components, making it suitable for applications like surveillance, exploration, and research while reducing risks to human life.