Engineering English
A* Algorithm
Mechatronics & Robotics · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A graph traversal and path search algorithm used to find the shortest path from a start node to a goal node, employing heuristics to improve efficiency. It is widely applied in robot path planning for optimal route generation.
Example in context
“The path planner uses the A* algorithm to find the shortest collision-free path for the robot arm in the cluttered cell.”
“Yol planlayıcı, robot kolunun dağınık hücredeki en kısa çarpışmasız yolunu bulmak için A* algoritmasını kullanır.”
Where engineers use it
The A* algorithm is critical in robot path planning for navigating complex environments. An engineer implements it to compute efficient routes for mobile robots or manipulators, balancing optimality with heuristic speed.
Synonyms: A-star algorithm
Practice: can you use “A* Algorithm” at work?
You are programming a mobile robot to navigate a warehouse with static obstacles. Describe how to implement the A* algorithm to generate an efficient path.
Show a model answer
“Could you explain how the A* algorithm optimizes the robot's path?”
“A* Algorithm” in 21 languages
| English | A* Algorithm |
|---|---|
| Turkish | A* algoritması |
| French | Algorithme A* |
| German | A*-Algorithmus |
| Spanish | Algoritmo A* |
| Chinese | A*算法 |
| Arabic | خوارزمية A* |
| Portuguese | Algoritmo A* |
| Russian | Алгоритм A* |
| Japanese | A*アルゴリズム |
| Italian | Algoritmo A* |
| Vietnamese | Thuật toán A* |
| Hindi | A* एल्गोरिथ्म |
| Thai | อัลกอริทึม A* |
| Indonesian | Algoritma A* |
| Korean | A* 알고리즘 |
| Bengali | A* অ্যালগরিদম |
| Dutch | A*-algoritme |
| Swedish | A*-algoritmen |
| Finnish | A*-algoritmi |
| Ukrainian | Алгоритм A* |
Frequently asked questions
What does A* Algorithm mean in engineering?
A graph traversal and path search algorithm used to find the shortest path from a start node to a goal node, employing heuristics to improve efficiency. It is widely applied in robot path planning for optimal route generation. In Mechatronics & Robotics, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce A* Algorithm?
A* Algorithm is pronounced /eɪ stɑːr ˈælɡərɪðəm/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is A* Algorithm used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The path planner uses the A* algorithm to find the shortest collision-free path for the robot arm in the cluttered cell.”
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