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Robot Swarm Shifts Heavy Objects

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the robo-movers-sound-great dept.

holy_calamity writes "A swarm of robots has been demonstrated that can get together to transport an object too heavy for a single bot. Each robot is loaded with the same simple set of behaviors but more complex intelligence emerges from a group interacting. Two videos show the robots in action, and using a more complex behavior necessary when they're set to short sighted mode and can't see the target location from the starting point."

8 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. hmmmmm might need modification by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The robots can adjust their caterpillar tracks, to ensure they are all pulling in the right direction. "Each robot has a traction sensor inside that detects all the external forces on it," explains Dorigo. A robot uses its sensor to identify any conflicting forces, and then changes direction accordingly.

    So, once its carrying your cargo along the path and begins to slide down a slope all the tracks will turn in unison to help carry it down the hill to its doom. They won't think anything is wrong because everyone will be pulling in the same direction.

    Apart from this minor detail i think w00t!

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. Oh great... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Borg v0.1

  3. Why wasn't this a simulation? by dpbsmith · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The object was apparently to demonstrate something or other regarding cooperation strategies between robots with limited communication abilities and limited knowledge of the surroundings.

    What, precisely, was gained by doing this with actual physical robots, rather than a computer simulation?

    --

    "How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!

    1. Re:Why wasn't this a simulation? by Vellmont · · Score: 5, Insightful


      What, precisely, was gained by doing this with actual physical robots, rather than a computer simulation?

      Gee, maybe things like accounting for things you never thought or had the ability to simulate? What makes you think that a computer can model every single thing (frictional forces, heat and stress on motors, etc) as well as actual reality?

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      AccountKiller
    2. Re:Why wasn't this a simulation? by SpeedBump0619 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      What, precisely, was gained by doing this with actual physical robots, rather than a computer simulation?

      "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." -- Computer Scientist Jan L. A. van de Snepscheut (or Yogi Berra, depending on who you believe)
    3. Re:Why wasn't this a simulation? by jotok · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Interaction effects result in "emergent" behavior because it's not readily apparent from the behavior of individuals. That is to say, sense-and-respond cycles are not easy to model unless you start out with a lot of data. A good example is ants--single ants wandering around demonstrate chaotic behavior in time and in space, whereas large numbers of ants demonstrate very ordered behavior (purposeful movement, all taking rests at the same time, etc.). We can model this because we've seen it, but before we ever saw it, it would probably have been outside of our abilities to predict that it would happen.

      In terms of complexity hierarchy, it doesn't make sense to make a model that is just an aggregation of different objects. You don't talk about the group behavior entirely in terms of the objects making up the group, because the objects don't demonstrate group behavior--the group does--so in some sense "half a herd of robots" doesn't make any sense. From the perspective from which the group behavior is evident, the group is a unitary individual.

      Clear as mud?

  4. Re:I welcome our new army of robot-swarm overlords by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Welcoming them is the only choice we have. After all, the only protection we have against robot attacks, the tips in How to Survive a Robot Uprising , only work against single robots. If they are able to effectively band together against a target, we're doomed. At least insurance is available for letting your family pull through after the metal ones come for you.

  5. Wasting time w/Humanoids? by TheMadTech · · Score: 4, Insightful

    All these Japanese companies are dead set on the whole humanoid robot concept. While the AI systems are clearly a joke, why focus so much energy on bipedal movement? It is clearly not the easiest mode of transportation. Human walking is essentially controlled falling. Oh great a bunch of things that kind of resemble humans can lift something heavy all together. Why not just build a smart forklift to do the same job autonomously. It just doesn't make any sense.