|
'''Swarm robotics''' is a new approach to the coordination of [[multirobot system]]s which consist of large numbers of relativelymostly simple physical [[robot]]s. The goal of this approachIt is to study the design of robots (both their physical body and their controlling [[behavior]]s) suchsupposed that a desired [[collective behavior]] emerges from the inter-robot interactions andbetween the robots and interactions of the robots with [[the environment]],. inspiredThis butapproach notemerged limited byon the [[emergentfield behavior]]of observedartificial in [[social insect]]s, called [[swarm intelligence]]., Itas haswell beenas discoveredthe thatbiological a setstudies of relativelyinsects, primitiveants individualand behaviorsother enhancedfields within communicationnature, willwhere produce[[swarm]] a large set of complex swarmbehavior behaviorsoccurs.
The goal of swarm robotics is to study the design of robots, their physical body and their controlling [[behavior]]s. It is inspired but not limited by the [[emergent behavior]] observed in [[social insect]]s, called [[swarm intelligence]]. Relative simple individual rules can produce a large set of complex swarm behavior. A key-component is the communication between the individuals, that build a system of constant feedback and involve constant changes of individuals in cooperation with others, as well as the behavior of the whole group.
Unlike [[distributed robotic system]]s in general, swarm robotics emphasizes a ''large'' number of robots, and promotes [[scalability]], for instance, by using only local communication. Local communication is usually achieved by [[wireless]] transmission systems, using [[radio frequency]] or [[infrared]] communication. ▼
▲Unlike [[distributed robotic system]]s in general, swarm robotics emphasizes a ''large'' number of robots, and promotes [[scalability]], for instance , by using only local communication. LocalThat local communication isfor example can usuallybe achieved by [[wireless]] transmission systems, usinglike [[radio frequency]] or [[infrared]] communication.
Potential application for swarm robotics include tasks that demand for extreme [[miniaturization]] ([[nanorobotics]], [[microbotics]]), on the one hand, as for instance distributed sensing tasks in [[micromachinery]] or the [[human body]]. On the other hand, swarm robotics is suited to tasks that demand for extremely cheap designs, for instance a [[mining]] task, or an agricultural [[foraging]] task. Artists are using swarm robotic techniques to realize new forms of [[interactive art]] installation.
Potential application for swarm robotics include tasks that demand for [[miniaturization]] ([[nanorobotics]], [[microbotics]]), like distributed sensing tasks in [[micromachinery]] or the [[human body]]. On the other hand swarm robotics can be suited to tasks that demand cheap designs, for instance [[mining]] tasks or agricultural [[foraging]] tasks. Also some artists use swarm robotic techniques to realize new forms of [[interactive art]]. Both miniaturization and cost are hardkey-factors in swarm robotics. This are the constraints thatto emphasizebuild large groups of robotics, therefore the simplicity of the individual team member, andshould be emphasized. This thusshould motivate a swarm-intelligent approach to achieve meaningful behavior on swarm-level, instead of the individual level.
Further research is needed to find methodologies that allow for designing, and reliably predicting, swarm behavior, given only features of the individual swarm members. Here, [[videoVideo tracking]] is an essential tool for systematically studying swarm-behavior, even though other tracking methods are available. Recently [[Bristol robotics laboratory]] has developed an ultrasonic position tracking system for swarm research purposes. Further research is needed to find methodologies that allow designing and reliably predicting of swarm behavior, while the only features of the individual swarm members are given.
|
