This paper proposes an improved African vulture optimization algorithm (IROAVOA), which integrates the random opposition-based learning strategy and disturbance factor to solve problems such as the relatively weak global search capability and the poor ability to balance exploration and exploitation stages. IROAVOA is divided into two parts. Firstly, the random opposition-based learning strategy is introduced in the population initialization stage to improve the diversity of the population, enabling the algorithm to more comprehensively explore the potential solution space and improve the convergence speed of the algorithm. Secondly, the disturbance factor is introduced at the exploration stage to increase the randomness of the algorithm, effectively avoiding falling into the local optimal solution and allowing a better balance of the exploration and exploitation stages. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, comprehensive testing was conducted using the 23 benchmark test functions, the CEC2019 test suite, and two engineering optimization problems. The algorithm was compared with seven state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms in benchmark test experiments and compared with five algorithms in engineering optimization experiments. The experimental results indicate that IROAVOA achieved better mean and optimal values in all test functions and achieved significant improvement in convergence speed. It can also solve engineering optimization problems better than the other five algorithms.

Integrating multiple search operators to utilize their different characteristics in order to improve the performance of evolutionary algorithms is a challenging task. This paper proposes an adaptive combination algorithm that integrates four search operators, called RLACA. RLACA introduces a reinforcement learning-based adaptive search operator selection mechanism (RLAS) to dynamically choose the most suitable search operator based on the individual states. Additionally, a neighborhood search strategy based on differential evolution (NSDE) is incorporated to mitigate premature convergence by increasing population diversity. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, a comprehensive testing was conducted using the CEC2017 test suite. The experimental results demonstrate that RLAS can adaptively select a suitable search operator and NSDE can enhance the algorithm’s local search capability, thereby improving the performance of RLACA. Compared with the four basic algorithms and four combination algorithms, RLACA performs better in both convergence speed and resolution accuracy.