Power in Numbers: Primitive Algorithm for Swarm Robot Navigation in Unknown Environments

Recently, the navigation of mobile robots in unknown environments has become a particularly significant research topic. Previous studies have primarily employed real-time environmental mapping using cameras and LiDAR, along with self-localization and path generation based on those maps. Additionally, there is research on Sim-to-Real transfer, where robots acquire behaviors through pre-trained reinforcement learning and apply these learned actions in real-world navigation. However, strictly the observe action and modelling of unknown environments that change unpredictably over time with accuracy and precision is an extremely complex endeavor. This study proposes a simple navigation algorithm for traversing unknown environments by utilizes the number of swarm robots. The proposed algorithm assumes that the robot has only the simple function of sensing the direction of the goal and the relative positions of the surrounding robots. The robots can navigate an unknown environment by simply continuing towards the goal while bypassing surrounding robots. The method does not need to sense the environment, determine whether they or other robots are stuck, or do the complicated inter-robot communication. We mathematically validate the proposed navigation algorithm, present numerical simulations based on the potential field method, and conduct experimental demonstrations using developed robots based on the sound fields for navigation.

GREEMA: Proposal and Experimental Verification of Growing Robot by Eating Environmental MAterial for Landslide Disaster

In areas that are inaccessible to humans, such as the lunar surface and landslide sites, there is a need for multiple autonomous mobile robot systems that can replace human workers. In particular, at landslide sites such as river channel blockages, robots are required to remove water and sediment from the site as soon as possible. Conventionally, several construction machines have been deployed to the site for civil engineering work. However, because of the large size and weight of conventional construction equipment, it is difficult to move multiple units of construction equipment to the site, resulting in significant transportation costs and time. To solve such problems, this study proposes a novel growing robot by eating environmental material called GREEMA, which is lightweight and compact during transportation, but can function by eating on environmental materials once it arrives at the site. GREEMA actively takes in environmental materials such as water and sediment, uses them as its structure, and removes them by moving itself. In this paper, we developed and experimentally verified two types of GREEMAs. First, we developed a fin-type swimming robot that passively takes water into its body using a water-absorbing polymer and forms a body to express its swimming function. Second, we constructed an arm-type robot that eats soil to increase the rigidity of its body. We discuss the results of these two experiments from the viewpoint of Explicit-Implicit control and describe the design theory of GREEMA.