A Following Algorithm Based on Virtual Force

Physicominetics or Artificial Physics Algorithm is widely used in various researches. With the improvement of control capability of embedded device, the research of vehicle following system is on the rise. This paper supposes that the virtual field around the main car has a strong effect on the following cars around. When the distance between the following cars and the main car is greater than the optimal distance, the main car has an attraction to the following cars, when the distance between the following car and the main car is less than the optimum distance, the main car has repulsive force to the following car, and repulsive force can push the following car towards the optimum distance. The following algorithm based on virtual force is simple and has good following effect. The proposed algorithm is verified from the simulations.