# PUTN: A Plane-fitting based Uneven Terrain Navigation Framework

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.04541 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.04541/

## Key facts

- Cited by 7 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 9 Mar 2022.

## Built on by (most cited first, 7 of 7)

- [Adaptive Diffusion Terrain Generator for Autonomous Uneven Terrain Navigation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.10766/) (2024)
- [ROLO-SLAM: Rotation-Optimized LiDAR-Only SLAM in Uneven Terrain with Ground Vehicle](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.02166/) (2025)
- [Real-time Spatial-temporal Traversability Assessment via Feature-based Sparse Gaussian Process](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.04134/) (2025)
- [ADEPT: Adaptive Diffusion Environment for Policy Transfer Sim-to-Real](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.01759/) (2025)
- [Unified Linear Parametric Map Modeling and Perception-aware Trajectory Planning for Mobile Robotics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.09340/) (2025)
- [Scene-Agnostic Traversability Labeling and Estimation via a Multimodal Self-supervised Framework](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.18249/) (2025)
- [Robust Multi-Model Fitting through Learning Neighbor Regions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.15348/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Autonomous navigation of ground robots has been widely used in indoor structured 2D environments, but there are still many challenges in outdoor 3D unstructured environments, especially in rough, uneven terrains. This paper proposed a plane-fitting based uneven terrain navigation framework (PUTN) to solve this problem. The implementation of PUTN is divided into three steps. First, based on Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRT), an improved sample-based algorithm called Plane Fitting RRT* (PF-RRT*) is proposed to obtain a sparse trajectory. Each sampling point corresponds to a custom traversability index and a fitted plane on the point cloud. These planes are connected in series to form a traversable strip. Second, Gaussian Process Regression is used to generate traversability of the dense trajectory interpolated from the sparse trajectory, and the sampling tree is used as the training set. Finally, local planning is performed using nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). By adding the traversability index and uncertainty to the cost function, and adding obstacles generated by the real-time point cloud to the constraint function, a safe motion planning algorithm with smooth speed and strong robustness is available. Experiments in real scenarios are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method. The source code is released for the reference of the community.