CIMAX: collective information maximization in robotic swarms using local communication

Hannes Hornischer*, Joshua Cherian Varughese, Ronald Thenius, Franz Wotawa, Manfred Füllsack, Thomas Schmickl

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Robotic swarms and mobile sensor networks are used for environmental monitoring in various domains and areas of operation. Especially in otherwise inaccessible environments, decentralized robotic swarms can be advantageous due to their high spatial resolution of measurements and resilience to failure of individuals in the swarm. However, such robotic swarms might need to be able to compensate misplacement during deployment or adapt to dynamical changes in the environment. Reaching a collective decision in a swarm with limited communication abilities without a central entity serving as decision-maker can be a challenging task. Here, we present the CIMAX algorithm for collective decision-making for maximizing the information gathered by the swarm as a whole. Agents negotiate based on their individual sensor readings and ultimately make a decision for collectively moving in a particular direction so that the swarm as a whole increases the amount of relevant measurements and thus accessible information. We use both simulation and real robotic experiments for presenting, testing, and validating our algorithm. CIMAX is designed to be used in underwater swarm robots for troubleshooting an oxygen depletion phenomenon known as “anoxia.”.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-314
Number of pages18
JournalAdaptive Behavior
Volume29
Issue number3
Early online date1 Jan 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • autonomous robotic swarms
  • bioinspiration
  • collective decision making
  • decentralized self-organization
  • Swarm robotics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Fields of Expertise

  • Information, Communication & Computing

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