Graduate Student Evolutionary Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic Algorithm for 3D UAV and Robot Path Planning

In recent years, numerical optimization, UAVs, and robot path planning have become hot research topics. Solving these fundamental artificial intelligence problems is crucial for further advancements. However, traditional methods struggle with complex nonlinear problems, prompting researchers to explore intelligent optimization algorithms. Existing approaches, however, still suffer from slow convergence, low accuracy, and poor robustness. Inspired by graduate students' daily behavior, this paper proposes a novel intelligent optimization algorithm, the Graduate Student Evolutionary Algorithm (GSEA). By simulating key processes such as searching for research directions and concentrating on studies, a mathematical model of GSEA is established. The algorithm's convergence behavior is analyzed qualitatively, and its performance is evaluated against competitive algorithms on the CEC2017 and CEC2022 test sets. Statistical tests confirm GSEA's effectiveness and robustness. To further validate its practical applicability, GSEA is applied to UAV and robot path planning problems, with experimental results demonstrating its superiority in solving real-world optimization challenges.