Design of a Biologically Inspired Active Visual Communication Strategy for Robotic Applications

Abstract

Abstract This research considers the development of a biologically inspired active visual communication strategy for use within Multiple Robot Systems. Robotic systems currently communicate using radio frequency (RF) broadcasts, but they cannot transition from one communication modality to another unlike biological organisms. Given the extent in which robotic platforms employ machine vision systems, robotic systems could benefit from implementation of a visual communication modality. Humans commonly employ visual and auditory communication modalities and actively use a variety of different methods of visual communication, but none have been applied to robotic communication. Within biology however, there are numerous active visual communication strategies that may be better suited for robotic applications as compared to current human systems. Biological organisms employ a variety of different communication strategies to allow communication to occur in different environments, and some organisms are capable of transitioning from one communication strategy to another if a situation necessitates it. in a variety of different environments. The work detailed in this article investigates biological visual communication methods to be used for the development of an active robotic visual communication system suitable for use within a Multiple Robot System. This research in this article will highlight an investigation and the subsequent functional decomposition of these communication systems. The decomposition will be used to develop the foundation of the robotic visual communication system in later work.