Resource management for networked robotics systems

This paper reports on research currently underway at the University of Reading aimed at developing a resource management model for providing laboratory resources as shared facilities on the Internet. The model is based on the concept of a resource allocator which maintains details of local, "registered" resources. This allocator, in turn, provides the mechanism for client applications to request and gain access to these resources: the resource allocator is publicly accessible via the Internet. We describe the model and its implementation. The model we propose can form the basis for resource sharing, providing a model for many laboratories to place laboratory facilities on the Internet. The work has implications for modular and cooperative robotics systems, where robots are configured into cooperative groups, and for human-robot systems in educations, research and industry.