Description

Swarm robotics is an approach to the design of multi-robot systems, which takes inspiration from social insects such as bees and ants.

These insects modify their environments by moving resources to suit their needs. In this lecture, Andrew Vardy will present how we are inspired by this behaviour to design systems of robots that organize objects into desired configurations.  One such configuration of objects is a single cluster.  For example, a swarm of robots could cluster dirt into one pile and hence clean the environment.  Slightly more elaborate would be a set of clusters, each containing one type of object.  Such a sorted configuration would be useful in recycling and workplace organization tasks.  Finally, the desired configuration might have a particular shape, such as a wall or an enclosure. 

How are researchers are exploring robot control algorithms?

Additionally, a discussion on how researchers are exploring robot control algorithms that can cluster, sort, and form patterns using objects in the environment will be presented. The approach is innovative and practical in that the focus is on the capabilities of inexpensive robots which can perform these tasks as a collective.  Robots with the desired capabilities can be constructed with current off-the-shelf technology for less than $500 each.  This talk will also touch base on some recent findings using swarms of robots to organize their environments.

We value your feedback and welcome any comments you may have to help us improve our programs. Make sure you submit the survey after you have attended this event!