Robot bartenders

Great attitude:

“We really just like robots and cocktails, and both together seemed like the perfect thing,” said Simone Davalos, one of the organizers of the Barbot 2010 event. “There is no real aim for world-changing, paradigm-shifting technological achievement, at least not from our perspective, but who knows? Lots of amazing things have happened over cocktails.”

Wired article.

Journal of Autonomous Robots

Not a lot of multi-robot stuff in the Journal of Autonomous Robots. In fact only one in the two 2010 issues and only 1-2 more in the 13 "Online First" articles. The articles that do appear are swarm robotics.

Here is the only multi-robot article for 2010, on swarm robots self assembling and repairing themselves.

Buying UAV time instead of UAVs

The lead story in this months Robotic Trends newsletter (here) is about AAI a company offering UAV time to defense, industry and academia.

I think this is a fantastic way to run a UAV company. I think a big reason that UAVs are not getting the penetration they should, outside of defense, is the technical skill required to use them, fix them, service them and integrate them into other systems. AAI is doing all that for you and providing the data. We'll see if this opens the floodgates.

What is AI? When will we get it?

A silicon.com article ask what AI really is and when we will get there. With quotes from people like Daphne Koller, Eric Horvitz and Warwick.

In today's popular imagination AI still conjures up ideas of intelligent robots - Data in Star Trek, or a disembodied and often malevolent super-intelligence of the kind seen in The Matrix. These incarnations of AI project an image of machine intelligence that is superior to man's, at least when it comes to things like reasoning and problem solving. Emotionally, of course, fictional AI has always been a bit simplistic - if not downright psychopathic, and keen to do away with the human competition.

Lots and lots of drones ...

The Fiscal Year 2010 budget calls for funding to field and sustain a 50-drone orbit by 2013. But the addition of another 15 orbits by 2015 won’t be the end of it. According to the draft QDR, the Pentagon is also “exploring ways to enhance the effectiveness of its fleet of ISR aircraft by developing innovative sensor technologies, support infrastructures and operating concepts.”

More

Finally a useful robot

Korean scientists have created a domestic robot that cleans up, dumps clothes in the washing machine and even heats food in the microwave.

Full article.

"The network capabilities of the robot makes it capable of doing jobs in areas that are dangerous, contaminated or previously unvisited, as every movement can be remote controlled,'' You said.

..... Sounds perfect for my bedroom.

Alternative energy UAVs

There are various UAVs around that are powered with alternative means, including solar. This one from ONR is interesting, powered by a fuel cell.

I suspect that as UAVs take on a wider range of forms and as they are used for more different missions than current manned aerial vehicles, we'll see more creative ways to use alternative energy.

EuroHawk

European version of the GlobalHawk

http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/eurohawk-uav-finally-goes-global.html

ChemBot

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10375216-1.html

Now this is a fun robot.

Deployed USV

Israel's unmanned "boat"

The Israeli navy will shortly begin deploying unmanned craft along the Mediterranean coast, particularly off the Hamas-held Gaza Strip in the south and Lebanon in the north where Hezbollah guerrillas operate.

This vehicle is fully remote controlled from shore, but would provide an interesting platform for future MRS.

Robot hops over wall

A fun video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8253721.stm

[T]he Precision Urban Hopper can use a piston-actuated "leg" to launch it over obstacles such as walls or fences.

Building motivation into AI

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23354/page1/

Not a terribly convincing argument:

Indeed, a really advanced intelligence, improperly motivated, might realize the impermanence of all things, calculate that the sun will burn out in a few billion years, and decide to play video games for the remainder of its existence, concluding that inventing an even smarter machine is pointless.

Pakistan's UAVs

http://blog.taragana.com/n/paf-using-unmanned-drones-in-war-exercise-160619/

“PAF is employing for the first time in the recent drills pilotless UAV drone planes to target the enemies. It was due to the precision of PAF planning that common people were not among the casualties,” Air Vice Marshal Hasan said

Tube launched UAVs might be only 2 years off

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/08/airforce_tube_UAV_083009w/

The Tube Launched Expendable UAV is no more than 3 feet long, weighs only 15 pounds, can fly for an hour and gives either a pilot or a ground unit the option to see over that next ridge without attracting much attention, according to a fact sheet provided by L3 Geneva Aerospace. The Air Force refused to talk about the aircraft.

The UAV would be fired off the wing or out the back hatch, he said. After the launch from a manned aircraft, a payload operator inside the plane would fly the UAV.

[L3 Flight Tech Manager] Cahill said he expected an aircraft to carry more than one UAV to give aircrews and ground commanders the additional flexibility to follow multiple targets. A tracker card installed inside the UAV will also make it easier for operators to track moving vehicles, Cahill said.

IROS Program out

https://ras.papercept.net/conferences/scripts/rtf/IROS09_ProgramAtAGlanceWeb.html

Papers in multi-robot or distributed robotics sessions:

MoIVT12

Mills 6
Distributed Robotics: Traffic Control and Exploration Regular Sessions

Chair: Chaimowicz, Luiz Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Co-Chair: de Almeida, Anibal Univ. of Coimbra

16:00-16:20, Paper MoIVT12.1


Multi-Robot Exploration and Fire Searching
Marjovi, Ali Univ. of Coimbra
Nunes, João Gonçalo Inst. of Systems and Robotics (ISR) - Univ. of Coimbra
Marques, Lino Univ. of Coimbra
de Almeida, Anibal Univ. of Coimbra

16:20-16:40, Paper MoIVT12.2


Predictive Constrained Gain Scheduling for UGV Path Tracking in a Networked Control System
Klingenberg, Bryan North Carolina State Univ.
Ojha, Unnati North Carolina State Univ.
Chow, Mo-Yuen North Carolina State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper MoIVT12.3


Cluster Space Collision Avoidance for Mobile Two-Robot Systems
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.
Stanhouse, Kyle Santa Clara Univ.
Chindaphorn, Piya Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper MoIVT12.4


Traffic Control for a Swarm of Robots: Avoiding Group Conflicts
Marcolino, Leandro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Chaimowicz, Luiz Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais

17:20-17:40, Paper MoIVT12.5


Traffic Control for a Swarm of Robots: Avoiding Target Congestion
Marcolino, Leandro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Chaimowicz, Luiz



WeIVT12

Mills 6
Distrubuted Robotics: Sensing Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT12.1


Image-Based Mapping and Navigation with Heterogeneous Robots
Erinc, Gorkem Univ. of California Merced
Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT12.2


Prioritized Sensor Detection Via Dynamic Voronoi-Based Navigation
Cortez, Andres Univ. of New Mexico
Fierro, Rafael Univ. of New Mexico
Wood, John Univ. of New Mexico

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT12.3


Surveillance Strategies for Target Detection with Sweep Lines
Kolling, Andreas Univ. of California Merced
Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT12.4


A Unified Methodology for Multi-Robot Passive & Active Sensing
Kosmatopoulos, Elias Tech. Univ. of Crete
Doitsidis, Lefteris Tech. Univ. of Crete
Aboudolas, Konstantinos Tech. Univ. of Crete

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT12.5


Collective Transport of Robots: Coherent, Minimalist Multi-Robot Leader-Following
Gupta, Megha Univ. of Southern California
Das, Jnaneshwar Univ. of Southern California
Vieira, Marcos Univ. of Southern California
Heidarsson, Hordur Kristinn Univ. of Southern California
Vathsangam, Harshvardhan Univ. of Southern California
Sukhatme, Gaurav

WeIVT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Cooperation Regular Sessions

Chair: Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT13.1


Multi-Robot Team Coordination through Roles, Positionings and Coordinated Procedures
Lau, Nuno Aveiro Univ.
Seabra Lopes, Luís Univ. de Aveiro
Corrente, Gustavo Univ. de Aveiro
Filipe, Nelson Univ. de Aveiro

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT13.2


Altruistic Task Allocation Despite Unbalanced Relationships within Multi-Robot Communities
Morton, Ryan Cal Pol. - San Luis Obispo
Bekey, George Univ. of Southern California
Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT13.3


Entrapment/Escorting and Patrolling Missions in Multi-Robot Cluster Space Control
Mas, Ignacio Santa Clara Univ.
Li, Steven Santa Clara Univ.
Acain, Jose Santa Clara Univ.
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT13.4


Effective Robot Team Control Methodologies for Battlefield Applications
Fields, MaryAnne Army Res. Lab.
Ellen, Haas Army Res. Lab.
Hill, Susan Us Army Res. Lab.
Stachowiak, Chris Army Res. Lab.
Barnes, Laura Univ. of Texas at Arlington

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT13.5


Negotiation of Target Points for Teams of Heterogeneous Robots: An Application to Exploration
Rossi, Claudio Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Aldama, Leyre Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Barrientos, Antonio UPM
Valero, Alberto Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Sánchez, Carlos Univ. Pol. de Madrid


MoIIIT10

Mills 4
Multi-Robot Systems Communication Regular Sessions

Chair: Vaughan, Richard Simon Fraser Univ.
Co-Chair: Goldberg, Ken UC Berkeley

14:00-14:20, Paper MoIIIT10.1


Coordinating Recharging of Large Scale Robotic Teams
Drenner, Andrew UMN
Janssen, Michael Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Papanikolopoulos, Nikos Univ. of Minnesota

14:20-14:40, Paper MoIIIT10.2


Adaptive Mobile Charging Stations for Multi-Robot Systems
Couture-Beil, Alex Simon Fraser Univ.
Vaughan, Richard Simon Fraser Univ.

14:40-15:00, Paper MoIIIT10.3


Nonparametric Belief Propagation for Distributed Tracking of Robot Networks with Noisy Inter-Distance Measurements
Schiff, Jeremy UC Berkeley
Sudderth, Erik Univ. of California, Berkeley
Goldberg, Ken UC Berkeley

15:00-15:20, Paper MoIIIT10.4


An Adaptive Mobile Robots Tethering Algorithm in Constrained Environments
Chen, Xi Michigan Tech. Univ.
Tan, Jindong Michigan Tech. Univ.

15:20-15:40, Paper MoIIIT10.5


TENTACLES: Self-Configuring Robotic Radio Networks in Unknown Environments
Chiu, Chi Ho Univ. of Southern California
Salemi, Behnam USC/ISI
Rubenstein, Michael Univ. of southern california
Shen, Wei-Min USC Information Science Inst.
Zhu, Hua ArgonST
Maheswaran, Rajiv Univ. of Southern California - Information Sciences Inst.
Szekely, Pedro Univ. of Southern California
Rogers, Craig


WeIT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Interaction and Control Regular Sessions


09:10-09:30, Paper WeIT13.1


Stable and Spontaneous Self-Assembly of a Multi-Robotic System by Exploiting Physical Interaction between Agents
Suzuki, Kazuya Tohoku Univ.
Tsukidate, Tsunamichi Tohoku Univ.
Shimizu, Masahiro Tohoku Univ.
Ishiguro, Akio Tohoku Univ.

09:30-09:50, Paper WeIT13.2


Segregation in Swarms of Mobile Robots Based on the Brazil Nut Effect
Groß, Roderich EPFL
Magnenat, Stéphane EPFL
Mondada, Francesco EPFL

09:50-10:10, Paper WeIT13.3


Self-Configuring Robot Swarms with Dual Rotating Infrared Sensors
Lee, Geunho Japan Advanced Inst. of Sci. & Tech.
Yoon, Seokhoon Japan Advanced Inst. of Science and Tech.
Chong, Nak Young Japan Advanced Inst. of Sci. and Tech.
Christensen, Henrik Iskov Georgia Inst. of Tech.

10:10-10:30, Paper WeIT13.4


Multiplicative Potential Energy Function for Swarm Control
Hou, Saing Paul Nanyang Tech. Univ.
Cheah, C. C. Nanyang Tech. Univ.

WeIIT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Formation Control Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Sheng, Weihua Oklahoma State Univ.

10:50-11:10, Paper WeIIT13.1


Leader-Following Formation Control Based on Pursuit Strategies
ding, wei Zhejiang Univ.
yan, gangfeng Zhejiang Univ.
Lin, Zhiyun Zhejiang Univ.
Lan, Ying Zhejiang Univ.

11:10-11:30, Paper WeIIT13.2


Discrete Event Systems Based Formation Control Framework to Coordinate Multiple Nonholonomic Mobile Robots
Gamage, Gayan Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland
Mann, George K. I. Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland
Gosine, Raymond G. Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland

11:30-11:50, Paper WeIIT13.3


Decision-Theoretic Robot Guidance for Active Cooperative Perception
Pahliani, Abdolkarim Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics
Spaan, Matthijs Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics
Lima, Pedro Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics

11:50-12:10, Paper WeIIT13.4


Adaptive Flocking Control for Dynamic Target Tracking in Mobile Sensor Networks
La, Hung Oklahoma State Univ.
Sheng, Weihua Oklahoma State Univ.

12:10-12:30, Paper WeIIT13.5


Characterization and Modeling of Wireless Channels for Networked Robotic and Control Systems -- a Comprehensive Overview
Mostofi, Yasamin Univ. of New Mexico
Gonzalez-Ruiz, Alejandro UNM
Ghaffarkhah, Alireza Univ. of New Mexico
Li, Ding


WeIIT12

Mills 6
Distributed Robotics: Formation and Task Allocation Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Weinberg, Jerry Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville

10:50-11:10, Paper WeIIT12.1


A Distributed Boundary Detection Algorithm for Multi-Robot Systems
McLurkin, James Rice Univ.
Demaine, Erik MIT

11:10-11:30, Paper WeIIT12.2


Dynamic Coalition Formation under Uncertainty
Hooper, Daylond Air Force Inst. of Tech.
Peterson, Gilbert Air Force Inst. of Tech.
Borghetti, Brett Air Force Inst. of Tech.

11:30-11:50, Paper WeIIT12.3


Fault-Tolerant Formations of Mobile Robots
Mead, Ross Univ. of Southern California
Long, Robert Southern Illinois Univ. at Edwardsville
Weinberg, Jerry Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville

11:50-12:10, Paper WeIIT12.4


Negotiation with Reaction Functions for Solving Complex Task Allocation Problems
Zheng, Xiaoming Univ. of Southern California
Koenig, Sven Univ. of Southern California

12:10-12:30, Paper WeIIT12.5


CoMutaR: A Framework for Multi-Robot Coordination and Task Allocation
Shiroma, Pedro Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais
Campos, Mario F. Montenegro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais


WeIVT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Cooperation Regular Sessions

Chair: Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT13.1


Multi-Robot Team Coordination through Roles, Positionings and Coordinated Procedures
Lau, Nuno Aveiro Univ.
Seabra Lopes, Luís Univ. de Aveiro
Corrente, Gustavo Univ. de Aveiro
Filipe, Nelson Univ. de Aveiro

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT13.2


Altruistic Task Allocation Despite Unbalanced Relationships within Multi-Robot Communities
Morton, Ryan Cal Pol. - San Luis Obispo
Bekey, George Univ. of Southern California
Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT13.3


Entrapment/Escorting and Patrolling Missions in Multi-Robot Cluster Space Control
Mas, Ignacio Santa Clara Univ.
Li, Steven Santa Clara Univ.
Acain, Jose Santa Clara Univ.
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT13.4


Effective Robot Team Control Methodologies for Battlefield Applications
Fields, MaryAnne Army Res. Lab.
Ellen, Haas Army Res. Lab.
Hill, Susan Us Army Res. Lab.
Stachowiak, Chris Army Res. Lab.
Barnes, Laura Univ. of Texas at Arlington

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT13.5


Negotiation of Target Points for Teams of Heterogeneous Robots: An Application to Exploration
Rossi, Claudio Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Aldama, Leyre Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Barrientos, Antonio UPM
Valero, Alberto Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Sánchez, Carlos

WeIVT15

Sterling 6
Path Planning: Multiple Mobile Robots Regular Sessions

Chair: Wang, Zhidong Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Co-Chair: Xiao, Jizhong City Coll. of New York

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT15.1


The Null-Space Based Behavioral Control for a Team of Cooperative Mobile Robots with Actuator Saturations
Arrichiello, Filippo Univ. di Cassino
Chiaverini, Stefano Univ. di Cassino
Indiveri, Giovanni Univ. of Salento
Pedone, Paola Univ. del Salento

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT15.2


Independent Navigation of Multiple Mobile Robots with Hybrid Reciprocal Velocity Obstacles
Snape, Jamie Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
van den Berg, Jur Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Guy, Stephen J. Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Manocha, Dinesh UNC at Chapel Hill

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT15.3


A Path Planning Method for Dynamic Object Closure by Using Random Caging Formation Testing
Wang, Zhidong Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Matsumoto, Hidenori Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Hirata, Yasuhisa Tohoku Univ.
Kosuge, Kazuhiro Tohoku Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT15.4


A Dynamic Path Planning Approach for Multi-Robot Sensor-Based Coverage Considering Energy Constraints
YAZICI, Ahmet Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.
Kirlik, Gokhan Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.
PARLAKTUNA, Osman OSMANGAZI Univ.
Sipahioglu, Aydin Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT15.5


Solvability of Multi Robot Motion Planning Problems on Trees
Masehian, Ellips Tarbiat Modares Univ.
Hassan Nejad, Azadeh

International Journal of Robotics Research Online

Only one multirobot paper in the current IJJR. Except it isn't a multirobot paper, its about robot controlled in a multirobot way.

Distributed Kinematic Motion Control of Multi-Robot Coordination Subject
to Physical Constraints
Youngshik Kim and Mark Minor

http://ijr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0278364909343217v1

This paper presents a kinematic motion control strategy for an n-axle Compliant Framed Modular wheeled Mobile Robot (CFMMR). This robot is essentially a passive-joint active-wheel snake robot where coordinated motion of the robot modules is critical for maximizing mobility and minimizing traction forces. A distributed master–slave kinematic motion control structure is proposed where the front axle module of the robot is the master and subsequent axle modules are slaves. An existing path manifold based controller is used to guide the motion of the master. Two steering algorithms with different specializations are then proposed for the slave modules. Performance of the steering algorithms is characterized based upon their capability to reduce traction forces, control final robot posture, and maneuver in a limited space. It is shown that these algorithms satisfy the physical constraints of the robot, which are characterized by path curvature and velocity limitations. Simulation and experimental results validate and characterize the performance of the algorithms.

Company using Multirobot Systems

http://www.kivasystems.com/

In Distribution centers, warehouses and manufacturing plants equipped with the Kiva MFS, operators stand still while the products come to them. Pallets, cases, and orders are stored on inventory pods that are picked up and moved by a fleet of mobile robotic drive units. As a result, any product can go to any operator at any time to fill any order.

These robots are pretty simple and the environment is pretty constrained but that is how it should be for robots in industrial environments. This is a good, smart use of a MRS.

Goldman Sach's MAS - Infrastructure Upgrade

The NYSE is building a new data center which will apparently allow more trading by multia-gent systems.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/08/nyse-builds-computer-trading-mothership-worries-abound.ars

It's quite remarkable to me that many of the econ and finance folks who insist that "HFT is the same thing we always did, just way faster" don't seem to realize that frequency and amplitude matter a whole lot, and that for any given phenomenon when you suddenly increase those two factors by an order of magnitude you typically end up with something very different than what you started with. This is true for isolated phenomena, and it's doubly true for complex systems, where you have to deal with systemic effects like feedback loops and synchronization/resonance.

Big European UAV

The Euro Hawk(r) is a derivative of the Block 20 Global Hawk, and will be equipped with a new SIGINT mission system developed by EADS Defence & Security (DS). The SIGINT system provides standoff capability to detect electronic intelligence radar and communications intelligence emitters. EADS DS will also provide the ground stations that will receive and analyze the data from Euro Hawk(r) as part of an integrated system solution.

UAVs not very successful?

I am not exactly sure how anyone comes up with these numbers, because it is often hard to tell whether someone is an insurgent, even after they are captured .....

The foreign policy community’s favorite counterinsurgency adviser, or at least their favorite Australian one, David Kilcullen, told lawmakers last week that the drone strikes targeting Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Pakistan are creating enemies at a far faster rate than its killing them. According to statistics he provided, the success rate of the drone bombing campaign is extremely low: just 2 percent of bombs dropped have hit targeted militants. The other 98 percent? Those killed noncombatant Pakistani civilians, he said.

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/05/11/drones-hardly-ever-kill-bad-guys/