Networked Robots

Networked Robots refers to multiple robots operating together in coordination or cooperatively with sensors, embedded computers, and human users. Cooperation entails more than one entity working toward a common goal while coordination implies a relationship between entities that ensures efficiency or harmony. Communication between entities is fundamental to both cooperation and coordination and hence the central role of the network. Embedded computers and sensors are now ubiquitous in homes and factories, and increasingly wireless ad-hoc networks or plug-and-play wired networks are becoming commonplace. Robots are functioning in environments while performing tasks that require them to coordinate with other robots, cooperate with humans, and act on information derived from multiple sensors. In many cases, these human users, robots and sensors are not collocated, and the coordination and communication happens through a network.