Tier 3 Series 201

201E: Navigation Systems

"A pilot doesn't memorize every tree and building; they follow a flight path. If your AI is manually moving coordinates to try and walk around a box, you are reinventing the wheel badly. A skilled Architect audits for NavMesh Agents."

The Concept: NavMesh Agents

The **NavMesh** is a pre-calculated map of where characters can walk. The **NavMeshAgent** is the pilot that steers the character along that map.

* **Baking:** Calculating the walkable surface.
* **Obstacle Avoidance:** Agents automatically steer around each other.
* **Pathfinding:** A* algorithms find the shortest route instantly.

Red Flag Detected

The AI Trap: "The Manual Mover"

You ask the AI: "Move the enemy to the player's position."

// AI-Generated Code: The "Dumb" Walker
void Update() {
    // Audit Fail: This moves in a straight line.
    // It will walk through walls and get stuck on corners.
    transform.position = Vector3.MoveTowards(transform.position, 
                                             player.position, 
                                             speed * Time.deltaTime);
}

This is "Dumb Movement." The AI has no awareness of the environment. It will try to walk through a mountain to get to the player.

Elite Telemetry

Research shows "Elite" teams achieve 15% faster lead times by keeping AI on a "very tight leash."

Small Batches Solving one problem at a time prevents logic drift.
Modular Design Localizing the "blast radius" of AI changes.
Tight Loops Rapid iteration with constant code review.

DORA Metrics Source

The Architect's Correction

Corrective Protocol

// Corrected: Intelligent Pathfinding
using UnityEngine.AI;

public NavMeshAgent agent;

void Update() {
    // The Agent calculates the path around the mountain
    agent.SetDestination(player.position);
}

Your Pilot Command

> A skilled Architect directs the AI to use Navigation. You command: "Use a NavMeshAgent to handle pathfinding and obstacle avoidance."

Take the Controls

Next Mission

Animation States