Background

There is a growing need for swarm robot systems where multiple robots work together in harsh areas inaccessible to humans, such as landslide disaster sites or the lunar surface. However, conventional robot design methods enable operation in clean indoor environments but fail to function effectively in complex outdoor environments (unspecified environments) that change unpredictably and constantly. In response, we are conducting research aimed at developing a design methodology for autonomous distributed control of swarm robot systems that can thrive in unspecified environments, inspired by organisms that adapt and survive in natural environments.

• ※1） A swarm robot system is a robotic system composed of multiple robots. Through coordination among the robots, the system as a whole accomplishes tasks.
• ※2） Autonomous distributed control refers to a system control structure where, rather than a central system controlling all robots collectively, each robot operates autonomously in a distributed manner and interacts with others, thereby achieving control of the entire system.
• ※3） Unspecified environments refer to an environment that changes unpredictably from moment to moment according to physical phenomena. Many outdoor environments, such as landslide disaster sites and the lunar surface, fall into this category.

Outlook

Developing design methodologies for robot swarms capable of operating robustly in unspecified environments will lead to the creation of swarm robot systems that can be practically useful in various scenarios, such as search and rescue operations at landslide disaster sites and infrastructure construction on the moon. It will also contribute to biological insights, including the understanding of living organisms.