Imitation Learning-Based Online Time-Optimal Control with Multiple-Waypoint Constraints for Quadrotors
On the map: Offline RL and imitation learning from data → Imitation learning methods
Abstract (arXiv)
Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable surge in utilizing quadrotors for various purposes due to their simple structure and aggressive maneuverability, such as search and rescue, delivery and autonomous drone racing, etc. One of the key challenges preventing quadrotors from being widely used in these scenarios is online waypoint-constrained time-optimal trajectory generation and control technique. This letter proposes an imitation learning-based online solution to efficiently navigate the quadrotor through multiple waypoints with time-optimal performance. The neural networks (WN&CNets) are trained to learn the control law from the dataset generated by the time-consuming CPC algorithm and then deployed to generate the optimal control commands online to guide the quadrotors. To address the challenge of limited training data and the hover maneuver at the final waypoint, we propose a transition phase strategy that utilizes MINCO trajectories to help the quadrotor 'jump over' the stop-and-go maneuver when switching waypoints. Our method is demonstrated in both simulation and real-world experiments, achieving a maximum speed of 5.6m/s while navigating through 7 waypoints in a confined space of 5.5m*5.5m*2.0m. The results show that with a slight loss in optimality, the WN&CNets significantly reduce the processing time and enable online optimal control for multiple-waypoint constrained flight tasks.
Key facts. No citing papers in the map yet (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Imitation learning methods, one of 13 directions in Offline RL and imitation learning from data. Builds on 2 of its 18 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 18 Feb 2024.
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- 2019Sample Efficient Learning of Path Following and Obstacle Avoidance Behavior for Quadrotors ↗
- 2019Flying through a narrow gap using neural network: an end-to-end planning and control approach
- 2024A Learning-based Quadcopter Controller with Extreme Adaptation
- 2025RAPTOR: A Foundation Policy for Quadrotor Control
- 2025Whole-Body Integrated Motion Planning for Aerial Manipulators
- 2019Learning the optimal state-feedback via supervised imitation learning
- 2026Approximate Imitation Learning for Event-based Quadrotor Flight in Cluttered Environments
- 2023End-to-end Reinforcement Learning for Time-Optimal Quadcopter Flight