An investigation into collective group behaviour of agents in deployment and search

• Main Author: Loh, Jeremy Ming Hock.
• Other Authors: Seet, Gerald Gim Lee
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Robots
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/13531
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Robots have traditionally been employed to perform simple repetitive tasks such as spray painting and welding. Recently, robots have been called on to perform complex tasks in highly unstructured and partially defined environments. These environments are difficult to model. Removing the need to model the environment significantly reduces the associated computational loads. This results in smaller and faster response systems. Another consideration for robots working in an unstructured environment is their locomotion system. Legs are comparatively more efficient. Wheels and tracks perform well on prepared surfaces such as rails or roads but poorly on soft, uneven ground.