Phenotypic Plasticity Provides a Bioinspiration Framework for Minimal Field Swarm Robotics

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.