EnemyPath

AI navigation system that dynamically generates and adjusts racing paths for opponent vehicles, featuring obstacle avoidance and adaptive pathfinding.

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🧠 AI Navigation Overview

Feature	Description
Dynamic Path Generation	Creates real-time optimal racing lines
Obstacle Avoidance	Detects and routes around blockers
Progress Tracking	Monitors checkpoint progression
Path Optimization	Maintains efficient route calculations

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📊 Core Properties

Path State

Property	Type	Description
actualPath	CheckPoint[]	Active navigation path
_actualPathLength	number	Current path distance
_actualPathCurrentPointOffset	number	Path traversal progress

Navigation Parameters

Property	Default	Description
_pathOffset	3	Lookahead checkpoint count
_safeDistance	150	Minimum obstacle clearance
_maxActualPathLength	20	Maximum path segments

Progress Tracking

Property	Type	Description
visitedCheckpoints	number	Passed checkpoint count
_actualPathCurrentPoint	number	Active waypoint index

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🎯 Path Targeting

currentTargetCheckPoint

get currentTargetCheckPoint(): CheckPoint {
  return this.actualPath[this._actualPathCurrentPoint];
}

nextTargetCheckPoint

get nextTargetCheckPoint(): CheckPoint {
  const nextIndex = (this._actualPathCurrentPoint + 1) % this.actualPath.length;
  return this.actualPath[nextIndex];
}

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🛠️ Key Methods

Path Generation

generateActualPath()

graph TD
    A[Get base track path] --> B[Apply lane offset]
    B --> C[Calculate smoothing]
    C --> D[Trim to max length]
    D --> E[Store as actualPath]

Dynamic Adjustment

updateActualTrackPathIfIntersects()

1. Raycast ahead for obstacles
2. If collision detected:
   • Calculate avoidance vector
   • Generate new path segment
   • Blend into existing path

Parameter	Type	Description
parentController	OpponentController	AI vehicle reference

Utility Methods

Method	Returns	Description
getDistanceToActualPoint()	number	Meters to next waypoint
isPointOnTrack()	boolean	Position validity check

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🏭 Factory Method

createFromTrackPath()

static createFromTrackPath(
  trackPath: TrackPath,
  offset?: number = 1.5
): EnemyPath

Typical Usage:

const aiPath = EnemyPath.createFromTrackPath(
  mainTrackPath,
  2.0 // Lane offset
);

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🚦 Behavioral Logic

Path Following Algorithm

1. Get current target waypoint
2. Calculate steering vector
3. If within waypoint radius:
   • Increment _actualPathCurrentPoint
   • Trim passed path segments
4. Repeat

Obstacle Avoidance

graph LR
    A[Detect obstacle] --> B{Can pass left?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Steer left]
    B -->|No| D{Can pass right?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Steer right]
    D -->|No| F[Brake]

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📝 Example Usage

// Initialize
const enemyPath = new EnemyPath(trackPath);
enemyPath._safeDistance = 200; // Aggressive AI

// Game loop
function updateAI() {
  enemyPath.updateActualTrackPathIfIntersects(aiController);
  const target = enemyPath.currentTargetCheckPoint;
  aiController.steerToward(target.position);
}

🏎️ Pro Tip: Adjust _pathOffset based on difficulty level - higher values make AI look further ahead for smoother racing lines.

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⚙️ Performance Considerations

• Path recalculation happens every:
  • Obstacle detection
  • 2 seconds (preventative)
• Keep _maxActualPathLength under 25 for balance
• Use spatial partitioning for obstacle checks