Objective
The SWARM-BOTS project is about the design and implementation of self-organising and self-assembling artefacts called swarm-bots. The approach will be inspired by recent studies in swarm intelligence, that is, by studies of the self-organising and self-assembling capabilities shown by social insects and other animal societies. The main scientific goal of the project is a better understanding of swarm intelligence principles and of the use of these principles in engineering, while the main tangible goal is the demonstration of the validity of the approach followed by means of the construction of at least one such artefact. The expected results are therefore the further development of the swarm intelligence discipline, and the design and construction of a first example of swarm-bot, that is, an artefact composed of a number of simpler robots capable of self-assembling and self-organising to adapt to its environment.
OBJECTIVES
The main scientific objective of the SWARM-BOTS project is to study a novel approach to the design and implementation of self-organising and self-assembling artefacts. This novel approach finds its theoretical roots in recent studies in swarm intelligence, that is, in studies of the self-organising and self-assembling capabilities shown by social insects and other animal societies. The main tangible objective of the project is the demonstration of the approach by means of the construction of at least one such artefact. We intend to construct a swarm-bot, that is, an artefact composed of a number of simpler, insect-like, robots (s-bots), built out of relatively cheap components, capable of self-assembling and self-organising to adapt to its environment.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The work will see the co-ordinated interplay of four main activities: (i) the design and implementation of the hardware, (ii) of the simulator, and (iii) of the control system of the swarm-bot, and (iv) the integration, testing, and evaluation of the outcomes of these activities. The general guidelines for designing the hardware, the simulator, and the control mechanisms will be jointly defined at the project start by the project participants in order to ensure consistency across all levels, as decisions at one level impose constraints on what can be done at another level. The guidelines will specify the appropriate hardware for s-bots, the characteristics required to the simulator (what the simulator should simulate) and the control mechanisms (selecting the appropriate space of distributed, swarm intelligence-based control mechanisms and the appropriate learning and evolutionary algorithms).
Based on such specifications, prototypes will be developed, evaluated and documented for all three components: s-bots (hardware), simulation (software) and swarm intelligence-based control mechanisms (software). The control mechanisms will be tested both with the simulator and hardware implementations. Final versions of each of the three components will be developed and fine-tuned using inputs and feedback from the other two components. An integrated prototype and demonstrator will then be developed. The main deliverable will be a set of individual hardware s-bots that can self-assemble into a shape-changing swarm-bot to accomplish a small number of tasks. Tasks considered will be dynamic shape formation and shape changing and navigation on rough terrain. In both cases, will be considered situations in which a single s-bot cannot accomplish the task and the cooperative effort performed by the s-bots aggregated in a swarm-bot is necessary.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering control systems
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
BRUXELLES
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.