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I’m interested in trying some experiments in
swarm robotics. The basic idea is
that simple robots with simple programming can behave in complex ways, provided
that there are 1.) a lot of them, and 2.) they can communicate locally in some
fashion. You then end up with a swarm of robots acting collectively. The robots’
programming controls their individual behavior, but the behavior of the entire
collective arises from the robots’ interactions with their environment and their
neighbors’ actions.
Here is an example swarm built using the LEGO RCX system:
http://www.idi.ntnu.no/grupper/ai/eval/fdagene/
“All robots in the group are the same and perform a very simple behavior: when
they run into an obstacle, they back up a bit, turn, and go forward again.
Instead of proximity sensors, we use standard LEGO touch sensors.”
Their emergent behavior has the effect of collecting scattered objects into a
pile in the center of their habitat. The cool thing is that this swarm actually
doesn’t communicate locally -- the robots simply react to their environment.
So, imagine what a swarm of Bluetooth-enabled NXT robots talking to each other
could do!
If this project sounds interesting, we should hurry up and design a simple robot
that anyone can build using only parts in the consumer NXT set (8527). In fact,
the basic driving base could be used. We’ll also have to design some programs
that will (hopefully) create interesting collective behaviors. Everyone would
then bring their robot(s) to BrickFest and we’d watch the swarm do its thing.
What do you all think?
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