← Parminces
Steven M. LaValle (2006)

Planning
Algorithms

The definitive textbook on motion planning, decision-theoretic planning, and planning under differential constraints. All 15 chapters rebuilt as interactive lessons.

15
Chapters
100+
Simulations
140+
Quizzes
Part I: Introductory Material
Chapter 1

Introduction

What does "planning" mean? State, time, actions, plans vs policies. The four parts of the book.

Chapter 2

Discrete Planning

State spaces, BFS/DFS, value iteration, Dijkstra, A* search. The algorithmic foundations.

Part II: Motion Planning
Chapter 3

Geometric Transformations

Rotation matrices, homogeneous coordinates, DH parameters, forward kinematics.

Chapter 4

The Configuration Space

Topology, SE(2)/SE(3), C-space obstacles, Minkowski sums. The unifying abstraction.

Chapter 5

Sampling-Based Planning

RRTs, PRMs, collision detection, Voronoi bias. Real-world motion planning.

Chapter 6

Combinatorial Planning

Visibility graphs, cell decompositions, algebraic geometry. Exact algorithms.

Chapter 7

Extensions

Time-varying, multi-robot, manipulation, coverage, optimal planning (RRT*).

Chapter 8

Feedback Planning

Vector fields, potential fields, navigation functions, sampling-based feedback.

Part III: Decision-Theoretic Planning
Chapter 9

Basic Decision Theory

Games against nature, minimax, zero-sum games, Nash equilibrium, Prisoner's dilemma.

Chapter 10

Sequential Decisions

MDPs, value/policy iteration, Q-learning, sequential game theory.

Chapter 11

Information Spaces

Sensors, I-states, belief updates, Kalman filters, particle filters.

Chapter 12

Planning Under Uncertainty

Localization, mapping, SLAM, pursuit-evasion, exploration.

Part IV: Planning Under Differential Constraints
Chapter 13

Differential Models

Velocity constraints, nonholonomic systems, Newton-Euler, Lagrangian mechanics.

Chapter 14

Sampling + Diff. Constraints

Kinodynamic RRT, trajectory optimization, decoupled approaches.

Chapter 15

System Theory

Controllability, HJB, Dubins/Reeds-Shepp paths, Lie brackets, steering methods.