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Phenotypic Plasticity Provides a Bioinspiration Framework for Minimal Field Swarm Robotics.

Edmund R Hunt1,2

  • 1Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Robotics and AI
|January 27, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Bioinspiration offers untapped potential in swarm robotics by leveraging phenotypic plasticity. This allows simple robots to adapt to unpredictable environments, enhancing swarm resilience and collective intelligence.

Keywords:
minimal roboticsphenotypic plasticityreaction normsresilienceswarm diversityswarm robotics

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Bioinspiration
  • Artificial Intelligence

Background:

  • Current swarm robotics controllers, optimized for predictable indoor environments, fail in real-world variability.
  • Increasing robot complexity contradicts the swarm philosophy of using numerous simple agents.
  • Bioinspiration offers a novel approach to enhance swarm capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of phenotypic plasticity in swarm robotics.
  • To argue for the use of bioinspired phenotypic plasticity in designing robust robot swarms.
  • To suggest methods for inducing plasticity in swarm robots.

Main Methods:

  • Proposing the use of diverse and hazardous simulated environments for pre-deployment optimization.
  • Advocating for adaptive threshold-based behaviors in robot controllers.
  • Highlighting the integration of emerging technologies like smart materials.

Main Results:

  • Phenotypic plasticity enables a single genotype (robot design) to produce varied responses to environmental changes.
  • Plasticity can be achieved through adaptive behaviors and advanced materials, leading to adaptable form and function.
  • Individual heterogeneity, driven by plasticity, enhances group decision-making and adversarial resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Phenotypic plasticity, inspired by nature, offers a powerful solution for resilient self-organization in physical swarm systems.
  • Swarm engineers can adopt bioinspired plasticity to create more adaptable and robust robot swarms.
  • Plasticity provides inherent diversity and adaptability, crucial for navigating unpredictable real-world conditions.