A Multi-Robot System Based on A Hybrid Communication Approach

Communication plays an important role in a multi-robot system. In a large system with many robots, it is difficult for all robots to exchange information at a time because of their limited communication capacities. On the other hand, sometimes there is such a situation where no explicit communication is allowed between robots. Therefore, efficient and reliable communication together with non-explicit communication is crucial for a multi-robot system. This paper presents a hybrid communication approach for a multi-robot system, which combines the explicit with implicit communications via using the prediction of robotic behaviour and a fuzzy communication approach. The hybrid communication approach contains a robot performance rule base, a fuzzy inference engine, and a semantics and grammar for communicating. Based on the hybrid communication strategy, the avoidance of collision with multiple robots in working area and multiple robots transporting a common object have been explored. The results of simulation show that the multi-robot system can complete a cooperative task successfully.