System for self-organizing mobile robotic collectives

• US 20100286824A1
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neal Solomon
• Original Assignee: Neal Solomon
• Inventors: Solomon, Neal
• Granted Patent: US 8,112,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/248
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00

Abstract

A system of self-organizing mobile robotic agents (MRAs) in a multi-robotic system (MRS) is disclosed. The MRAs use simulations to organize the behaviors of groups of robots in the MRS. The MRAs use software agents to model the MRS and the environment. By developing simulations of environmental change, the system provides methods for the MRS to interact with its environment to produce collective epigenetic behaviors.

Claims

1. A system for managing a robotic network, comprising:

A plurality of mobile robots, each robot including program code configured to communicate and exchange information with other robots, wherein all robots are configured to track each other;

Wherein when robots are removed from the network, the remaining network adjusts to add additional robots;

Wherein the robot network includes a plurality of sensor sources;

Wherein the robot network is linked together to connect all robots to at least two other robots;

Wherein the robots communicate with other robots within the network to share sensor data; and

Wherein the robot network transmits and receives sensor data to other robots in the network.

2. A system for managing a robotic network comprising:

A plurality of robots;

A plurality of intelligent mobile software agents (IMSAs), the IMSAs comprising software means for allowing robots to communicate, interact and collaborate with other robots wherein the plurality of robots are initially configured into a specific spatial configuration;

Wherein new sensor data on environmental change is organized into a specific spatial configuration;

Wherein new sensor data on environmental change is organized by IMSAs;

Wherein the IMSAs determine the priority of robot functions;

Wherein the IMSAs transfer software code to robots;

Wherein the robots are operable to receive code from IMSAs;

Wherein the specific special configuration of each sub-group of robots is determined based on information from one or more inputs from the environment;

Wherein the specific spatial configuration of each collection of robots is changed in response to the information from one or more inputs from the environment;

Wherein the network of robots continually adjusts its configuration; and

Wherein the IMSAs use hybrid genetic algorithms to co-evolve with the robot environment.

3. A system for managing a mobile robotic system (MRS):

Wherein the MRS consists of a collection of mobile robotic agents (MRAs);

Wherein the MRAs use intelligent mobile software agents (IMSAs);

Wherein the IMSAs use simulations to model the positions of the MRAs;

Wherein the simulations are in real-time;

Wherein the simulations are organized to track the locations of MRAs from position to position over time;

Wherein the simulations are organized to track the interaction of MRAs with the environment;

Wherein the simulations are received by MRAs;

Wherein the simulations stimulate the organizational structure of the MRAs;

Wherein the plurality of configurations of MRAs change their spatial positions based on the simulations and environmental interactions; and

Wherein the MRAs adapt their behaviors based on the simulation inputs.