Robotic Sensor Networks Research Articles

Distributed Adaptive Secure Consensus Tracking Control for Asynchronous Switching Nonlinear MASs Under Sensor Attacks and Actuator Faults

A distributed adaptive secure control algorithm is proposed for asynchronous switching nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) in pure-feedback form while considering the sensor attacks and actuator faults, which eliminates the effect of attack signals, actuator faults and uncertainties without knowing the sign of the control gain functions. Since the system states measured by the sensors are corrupted by the malicious attacker, only the post-attack system states can be obtained. Thus, an improved coordinate transformation is constructed by using the post-attack system states and a backstepping method based on the improved coordinate transformation is developed to solve the consensus tracking control problem of the researched systems under sensor attacks. The common Lyapunov function is designed to ensure the stability of all asynchronous switching subsystems of each agent. In the end, a simulation example is presented to illustrate the theoretical results’ validity. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —This paper deal with the distributed adaptive secure consensus tracking control problem for asynchronous switching nonlinear MASs, whose models can describe many phenomena in nature such as biological processes, robot team formation and sensor networks. It is extremely challenging to achieve the tracking control problem of the researched asynchronous switching nonlinear system in an unsafe network environment, where the unknown sensor attacks signals, actuator faults coefficients, and randomly switched non-affine nonlinearities exist together for the followers. Furthermore, the control design and stability analysis of the researched system is based on the common Lyapunov approach, which makes the developed approach more engineering oriented.

NTN-Aided Quality and Energy-Aware Data Collection in Time-Critical Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

NTN-Aided Quality and Energy-Aware Data Collection in Time-Critical Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

Coverage Optimization of Robotic Sensor Networks in Nonconvex Environments via Rotary Pointer Partitions

Coverage Optimization of Robotic Sensor Networks in Nonconvex Environments via Rotary Pointer Partitions

A Two-Layer Control Framework for Persistent Monitoring of a Large Area With a Robotic Sensor Network

A Two-Layer Control Framework for Persistent Monitoring of a Large Area With a Robotic Sensor Network

Predictive receding-horizon multi-robot task allocation applied to the mapping of direct normal irradiance in a thermosolar power plant

This article considers a robotic sensor network that measures the loss of irradiance in a thermosolar power plant due to moving clouds. To this end, a receding-horizon predictive algorithm is proposed for multi-robot task allocation. Despite the high nonlinearity of the problem, the experiments carried out varying the horizon size show that the proposed method has a good performance with small horizons and tasks moving in similar directions, outperforming a previously published approach based on genetic algorithms. Finally, realistic simulations performed on a solar plant implemented in Robot Operating System/Gazebo prove the feasibility of the proposed method and its potential to provide significant performance gains with a much lower investment than an equivalent fixed sensor network.

Energy-Aware UAV-Driven Data Collection With Priority in Robotic Wireless Sensor Network

Energy-Aware UAV-Driven Data Collection With Priority in Robotic Wireless Sensor Network

Energy Efficient Routing Protocols for Mobile Robots: A Review

Many vital applications benefit from mobile multi-robot teams, including search and rescue, environmental monitoring, military, unmanned space exploration, hazard detection and analysis. Communication between robots is important for group coordination and information sharing in mobile multi-robot teams. Because many mobile robot applications involve scenarios where communication infrastructure is destroyed or unavailable, mobile robot teams must regularly connect with one another through ADHOC networking. In such situations, low over-head and energy efficient routing systems for sending information are essential. The most difficult task is to provide a unified foundation for robot communication. The framework of Mobile Robots is described in this paper, as well as a review and analysis of several research papers on Energy Efficient Routing in Robotic Wireless sensor networks (RWSN).

Energy Harvesting and Task-Aware Multi-Robot Task Allocation in Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

In this work, we investigate an energy-aware multi-robot task-allocation (MRTA) problem in a cluster of the robot network that consists of a base station and several clusters of energy-harvesting (EH) robots. It is assumed that there are M+1 robots in the cluster and M tasks exist in each round. In the cluster, a robot is elected as the cluster head, which assigns one task to each robot in that round. Its responsibility (or task) is to collect the resultant data from the remaining M robots to aggregate and transmit directly to the BS. This paper aims to allocate the M tasks to the remaining M robots optimally or near optimally by considering the distance to be traveled by each node, the energy required for executing each task, the battery level at each node, and the energy-harvesting capabilities of the nodes. Then, this work presents three algorithms: Classical MRTA Approach, Task-aware MRTA Approach, EH and Task-aware MRTA Approach. The performances of the proposed MRTA algorithms are evaluated under both independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) and Markovian energy-harvesting processes for different scenarios with five robots and 10 robots (with the same number of tasks). EH and Task-aware MRTA Approach shows the best performance among all MRTA approaches by keeping up to 100% more energy in the battery than the Classical MRTA Approach and keeping up to 20% more energy in the battery than the Task-aware MRTA Approach.

Persistent Coverage in Non-Convex Environments with Heterogeneous Robotic Networks: Constraint-based Approach⋆

In this paper, we extend a constraint-based coverage control for robotic sensor networks based on control barrier functions (CBFs) for environments with known obstacles and different types of unmanned vehicles (UV). To this end, we use a sensing function that considers the vertices of the obstacles to compute the route and the distance regarding the UVs. This way, obstacle avoidance becomes intrinsic to the CBF ensuring the coverage performance. Moreover, we consider different obstacles and speeds for each type of UV. Finally, the proposed algorithm is illustrated with a heterogeneous fleet of UVs and obstacles in a simulated thermosolar power plant.

Remote Big Data Management Tools, Sensing and Computing Technologies, and Visual Perception and Environment Mapping Algorithms in the Internet of Robotic Things

The purpose of our systematic review was to inspect the recently published research on Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) and harmonize the assimilations it articulates on remote big data management tools, sensing and computing technologies, and visual perception and environment mapping algorithms. The research problems were whether robotic manufacturing processes and industrial wireless sensor networks shape IoRT and lead to improved product quality by use of remote big data management tools, whether IoRT devices communicate autonomously regarding event modeling and forecasting by leveraging machine learning and clustering algorithms, sensing and computing technologies, and image processing tools, and whether smart connected objects, situational awareness algorithms, and edge computing technologies configure IoRT systems and cloud robotics in relation to distributed task coordination through visual perception and environment mapping algorithms. A Shiny app was harnessed for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to configure the flow diagram integrating evidence-based gathered and processed data (the search outcomes and screening procedures). A quantitative literature review of ProQuest, Scopus, and the Web of Science databases was carried out throughout June and October 2022, with search terms including “Internet of Robotic Things” + “remote big data management tools”, “sensing and computing technologies”, and “visual perception and environment mapping algorithms”. Artificial intelligence and intelligent workflows by use of AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews), Dedoose, DistillerSR, and SRDR (Systematic Review Data Repository) have been deployed as data extraction tools for literature collection, screening, and evaluation, for document flow monitoring, for inspecting qualitative and mixed methods research, and for establishing robust outcomes and correlations. For bibliometric mapping by use of data visualization, Dimensions AI was leveraged and with regards to layout algorithms, VOSviewer was harnessed.

UAV-Driven Sustainable and Quality-Aware Data Collection in Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy-aware data collection is of paramount importance for robotic and wireless sensor networks. Although static sink-aided cluster-based protocols provide energy-efficient solutions, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-aided approaches can be considered as better alternatives to reduce energy consumption while data acquisition compared with static sinks. Most of the existing UAV-driven solutions have not considered a limit on the battery capacity of the UAV, which needs to be considered in a practical manner. This article investigates energy-aware data collection in robot network clusters. In each cluster, a cluster head (CH) robot allocates one collaborative task to each cluster member (CM) robot and collects data from CMs whereas a UAV collects data from CH robots by visiting a subset of them due to its battery limitation. To complement the state-of-the-art, UAV decision for visiting the subset of CHs is constrained to multiple factors including residual battery capacity, as well as locations and data qualities of all CH robots. Nonvisited CH robots use CH robots as relay nodes for data forwarding. Following upon this, by considering the problem under data hopping constraints, this article also presents a sensitivity analysis with respect to data hopping constraints. Simulations show that the proposed policy achieves zero total joint cost whereas the state-of-the-art approaches result in significantly high total joint costs. Furthermore, the proposed policy reduces the total joint cost by up to 50% with respect to the conventional approaches.

Reinforcement Optimization Algorithm for Mobile Robot Sensor Networks Drive Motion Improvement

This paper proposed four optimization algorithms for mobile robot sensor networks that improve the kinematics drive motion in a reference map environment. The standard procedure followed in mobile robot sensor measurements considers a problem statement for relating the sensor measurements with a reference map. The initial path shows that the existing methods lack consideration of more sensor points without considering the boundary constraints and obstacles. The probabilistic path map can be rearranged according to the current location to improve the better drive motion, as well as to obey the fundamental kinematics equations. he obstacle crossing led to the development of new algorithms. Implementation of schemes is achieved in different map environments, and the accuracy of results outperforms conventional methods by 84.21 % to 96.94 %.

A Task Allocation Approach of Multi-Heterogeneous Robot System for Elderly Care

Roboticized nursing technology is a significant means to implement efficient elderly care and improve their welfare. Introducing multi-heterogeneous robot systems (MHRS) and sensor networks into a smart home is a promising approach to improve the safety and acceptability of elderly care services in daily life. Among them, the energy consumption and task planning of MHRS determine nursing safety, which is particularly important in the real nursing process. Therefore, we established a novel smart home for elderly care based on seven heterogeneous nursing robots, and proposed a multi-robot task allocation (MRTA) algorithm, considering execution time and energy consumption. The whole system efficiency makes up for the functional limitations and service continuity of traditional MHRS. To realize efficiently conducted multitasks, we established an architecture with centralized task allocation center, robot alliance layer and distributed execution layer for the MHRS. The self-organizing architecture contributes to overall task allocation, communication and adaptive cooperative control between different robots. Then, to clearly describe the continuous nursing process with multiple simultaneous demands and emergency tasks, we modeled the whole nursing process with continuity, multi-priority, and interpretability. A novel MRTA algorithm with a dynamic bidding mechanism was proposed. Comprehensive experiments showed that the proposed algorithm could effectively solve the three key problems of multi-priority tasks, multi-robot safe and adaptive cooperation, and emergency task call in the scene of elderly care. The proposed architecture regarding the smart home could be applied in nursing centers, hospitals, and other places for elderly care.

Deep Learning-Assisted Smart Process Planning, Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks, and Geospatial Big Data Management Algorithms in the Internet of Manufacturing Things

The purpose of our systematic review is to examine the recently published literature on the Internet of Manufacturing Things (IoMT), and integrate the insights it configures on deep learning-assisted smart process planning, robotic wireless sensor networks, and geospatial big data management algorithms by employing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Throughout October 2021 and January 2022, a quantitative literature review of aggregators such as ProQuest, Scopus, and the Web of Science was carried out, with search terms including “deep learning-assisted smart process planning + IoMT”, “robotic wireless sensor networks + IoMT”, and “geospatial big data management algorithms + IoMT”. As the analyzed research was published between 2018 and 2022, only 346 sources satisfied the eligibility criteria. A Shiny app was leveraged for the PRISMA flow diagram to comprise evidence-based collected and handled data. Major difficulties and challenges comprised identification of robust correlations among the inspected topics, but focusing on the most recent and relevant sources and deploying screening and quality assessment tools such as the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies, Dedoose, Distiller SR, the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool, and the Systematic Review Data Repository we integrated the core outcomes related to the IoMT. Future research should investigate dynamic scheduling and production execution systems advanced by deep learning-assisted smart process planning, data-driven decision making, and robotic wireless sensor networks.

A Robot–Sensor Network Security Architecture for Monitoring Applications

This paper presents SNSR (Sensor Network Security using Robots), a novel, open, and flexible architecture that improves security in static sensor networks by benefiting from robot-sensor network cooperation. In SNSR, the robot performs sensor node authentication and radio-based localization (enabling centralized topology computation and route establishment) and directly interacts with nodes to send them configurations or receive status and anomaly reports without intermediaries. SNSR operation is divided into stages set in a feedback iterative structure, which enables repeating the execution of stages to adapt to changes, respond to attacks, or detect and correct errors. By exploiting the robot capabilities, SNSR provides high security levels and adaptability without requiring complex mechanisms. This paper presents SNSR, analyzes its security against common attacks, and experimentally validates its performance.

Learning generalized Nash equilibria in multi-agent dynamical systems via extremum seeking control

In this paper, we consider the problem of learning a generalized Nash equilibrium (GNE) in strongly monotone games. First, we propose semi-decentralized and distributed continuous-time solution algorithms that use regular projections and first-order information to compute a GNE with and without a central coordinator. As the second main contribution, we design a data-driven variant of the former semi-decentralized algorithm where each agent estimates their individual pseudogradient via zeroth-order information, namely, measurements of their individual cost function values, as typical of extremum seeking control. Third, we generalize our setup and results for multi-agent systems with nonlinear dynamics. Finally, we apply our methods to connectivity control in robotic sensor networks and almost-decentralized wind farm optimization.

Hybrid cooperative localization based on robot-sensor networks

For cooperative localization in robot-sensor networks (RSNs), efficient utilization of multiple measurements produced by heterogeneous nodes is the key to improving their positioning accuracy. The existing approaches usually focus on the measurement of pseudo-anchor cooperation (PAC) or non-anchor cooperation (NAC), which is often adopted in wireless sensor networks and robotics separately. Therefore, the case where the two types of cooperations are involved cannot be handled reasonably. In view of this, the new concept of a temporary pseudo-anchor (TPA) has been introduced in this work. Owing to the dynamic switching mechanism of TPA, a hybrid range-based node switchable cooperative localization (NSCL) approach can be easily derived, in which the effective PAC and NAC can be realized simultaneously. Furthermore, to extract valuable information from redundant measurements, the TPA selection strategies based on minimum covariance criterion (MCC) and maximum entropy change (MEC) have also been deduced, inspired by the information theory. Benefiting from their different optimization objectives, the two strategies can be employed depending on the requirements of the practical applications. Experimental results indicate that the MCC- and MEC-based NSCL exhibit higher positioning accuracy as compared to the existing PAC and NAC approaches. More importantly, they can still work well even with the only anchor, which exhibits robustness and adaptability to the complex environment.

An Intelligent Auto-Organizing Aerial Robotic Sensor Network System for Urban Surveillance

We have developed and demonstrated an intelligent auto-organizing aerial robotic sensor network system composed of cameras installed on UAVs and ground fixtures for urban surveillance using the decentralised control paradigm. The system can auto-organize to meet user requirements, changes to user requirements and when new UAVs or ground cameras are added or are lost due to failure. User designated targets can be automatically tracked and handed over from one camera to another, to ensure continuous tracking. The cameras can also self adjust their positions and pointing angles to cooperatively cover areas of interest completely. We have achieved this by designing a software architecture for managing multiple interacting algorithms online and in parallel, facilitating incremental software development and debugging. We have adapted algorithms to become computationally efficient and effective for real world use online and on-board the UAVs, and ensured that the integration of video analytics and tactical behaviours work in real world settings. We have also achieved near optimal, online close coordination of the UAVs and ground cameras. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proof-of-concept of a fully integrated intelligent auto-organizing aerial robotic sensor network system of cameras installed on UAVs and ground fixtures for urban surveillance.

Spatial irradiance estimation in a thermosolar power plant by a mobile robot sensor network

An algorithm for mapping Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) in thermosolar power plants using a Mobile Robotic Sensor Network (RSN) is presented. The algorithm selects measurement spots and allocates the RSN accordingly to carry out the dynamic estimation of DNI. A generic thermosolar power plant with a fleet of vehicles is used as a simulated case study to assess the performance of the algorithm. The results show that the proposed method allows us to obtain a spatial estimation of the DNI that could improve the performance of the plant, and that outperforms estimations based on a single pyrheliometer.

Event-MILP-Based Task Allocation for Heterogeneous Robotic Sensor Network for Thermosolar Plants

In this paper, an event-Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP)-based algorithm is proposed to solve the task allocation problem in a Robotic Sensor Network (RSN). A fleet of two types of vehicles is considered, giving, as a result, a heterogeneous configuration of the network, since each type of vehicle has a nominal velocity and a set of allowed paths to go. The algorithm can be applied to the distributed estimation of the solar irradiance on a parabolic trough thermosolar power plant which can be used to increase the global efficiency of the plant. A simulation environment has been built to test the proposed algorithm, taking into account the behavior of the vehicles and the structure of the solar plant. The algorithm has been compared with traditional methods such as the Optimal Assignment Problem (OAP) using a set of indexes that have been defined to this purpose.