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Swarm Robotics

This term paper discusses swarm robotics, a field inspired by biological swarms that focuses on decentralized and scalable robotic systems. It explores the principles, applications in areas like search and rescue and agriculture, and the challenges faced in implementing swarm robotics. The paper emphasizes the need for advancements in artificial intelligence to enhance swarm coordination and address issues such as communication and power limitations.

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ekenemeifesinahi
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6 views

Swarm Robotics

This term paper discusses swarm robotics, a field inspired by biological swarms that focuses on decentralized and scalable robotic systems. It explores the principles, applications in areas like search and rescue and agriculture, and the challenges faced in implementing swarm robotics. The paper emphasizes the need for advancements in artificial intelligence to enhance swarm coordination and address issues such as communication and power limitations.

Uploaded by

ekenemeifesinahi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A TERM PAPER ON SWARM TECHNOLOGY

MCE 501(INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS)

TITLE: HOW TO PROGRAM SWARM ROBOTS

NAME:EKENEME MAC-ANTHONY IFESINACHI

COURSE:INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS

TO BE SUBMITTED TO:ENGR. E.A.OKORONKWO

24TH MARCH, 2025

Swarm robotics is an emerging field that takes inspiration from biological swarms, such as ant
colonies and bee hives, to create decentralized, scalable, and robust robotic systems. This
paper explores the principles of swarm robotics, its applications in search and rescue,
agriculture, and exploration, as well as the challenges in implementing these systems. The
study also discusses advancements in artificial intelligence that enhance swarm coordination.

1. Introduction

Swarm robotics is a branch of multi-robot systems that focuses on designing large groups of
autonomous robots that cooperate through local interactions. Unlike traditional robotics, where a
central controller dictates actions, swarm robotics relies on self-organization, making it highly
scalable and resilient. This paper aims to explore the fundamental principles, real-world
applications, and challenges of swarm robotics.

1.1 Research Question

How can swarm robotics improve efficiency in real-world applications while overcoming
coordination challenges?

2. Background and Literature Review

2.1 Origins of Swarm Robotics


Swarm robotics is inspired by swarm intelligence, a concept observed in nature where simple
agents work together to achieve complex tasks. Ant colonies use pheromone trails to optimize
foraging, while birds flock based on simple alignment rules. Early research in swarm intelligence
influenced robotic applications by leveraging decentralized communication.

2.2 Key Characteristics of Swarm Robotics

Decentralization: No single robot has global control.

Scalability: The system can function effectively regardless of size.

Robustness: The failure of individual robots does not affect overall system performance.

2.3 Related Work

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of swarm robotics. For instance, Dorigo et
al. (2004) introduced Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms, which improved pathfinding in
robotic swarms. Another study by Rubenstein et al. (2014) demonstrated self-assembly
capabilities in a 1,000-robot swarm.

3. Applications of Swarm Robotics

3.1 Search and Rescue Operations

Swarm robots can autonomously explore disaster zones, map terrains, and locate survivors.
Their ability to self-organize without GPS makes them ideal for earthquakes, floods, and
collapsed buildings.

3.2 Agriculture and Precision Farming

Drones and autonomous ground robots work collaboratively to monitor crops, remove weeds,
and optimize irrigation. This reduces labor costs and improves agricultural efficiency.

3.3 Space and Underwater Exploration

Swarm robots have been proposed for planetary exploration (e.g., Mars rovers working in
swarms) and ocean monitoring, where large-scale coverage is needed.
Diagram of a Swarm Robot

4. Challenges in Swarm Robotics

4.1 Communication Constraints

As the number of robots increases, ensuring effective communication without network


congestion is challenging.

4.2 Coordination and Task Allocation

Ensuring robots efficiently distribute tasks without redundancy or conflict is a major research
problem.

4.3 Power and Computational Limitations

Small robots have limited battery life and processing capabilities, requiring energy-efficient
algorithms.

●​ Conclusion and Future Directions

Swarm robotics offers a promising approach to solving real-world problems through


decentralized and cooperative behavior. However, challenges such as communication,
coordination, and power limitations must be addressed for large-scale deployment. Future
research may focus on AI-driven adaptive algorithms and improved hardware for robust
real-world performance.

References
Chatgpt

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