In the field of robotics, small relatively inexpensive mobile robots are becoming more and more common. This is a result of the technological advances and development in relatively inexpensive communication, computation and sensing devices. These small robots, can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from search and rescue to surveillance. Although the objective differs from application to application, in general the underlying assumption is that the robots are capable of moving towards points of interest autonomously. Therefore reliable and computationally cheap algorithms have to be implemented and tested to make this assumed capability a reality.
The aim of the project is to develop such a reliable and computationally cheap algorithm that ensures that a mobile robot (or multiple of them) arrives at desired given locations (way-points) with the right orientation. The algorithm(s) have to be implemented and demonstrated on the real test-bed experiment in the Distributed Robotics Lab at DCSC, where six iRobot Create platforms are available.
Once such algorithm is tested and has shown its reliability, free space is given to creativity to design coordinated way-point following methods with all the available mobile robots. So: Let your mind run free and come up with an exciting way to demonstrate your algorithm!
In short, will you join us, and further the research in this exiting area?
There are some demands and requirements for this project. These are:
- Select and develop a suitable algorithm for way-point following.
- Design and implement a Matlab interface that uses the information supplied from the available camera system to drive the mobile robot to the desired location.
- Test and demonstrate the system.
