Beyond the Hive:
The Amazing Behavior of Swarms
July 21 through September 9, 2007
Location: Corning Gallery
Groups of insects and other social animals solve problems very differently from humans. The swarm way of figuring things out uses a “bottom-up” approach in which individuals act or react only to local information but form pieces that come together to provide a global solution.
Researchers at John Carroll University have been studying swarm behavior and its relationship to humans for the last seven years, looking to draw insights that can then be used to solve complex resource allocation problems and other challenges. Stop in Corning Gallery to see photos and video of human swarm experiments as well as objects from the Museum’s collections that relate to swarming behavior.
Come swarm with us!
Museum visitors are invited to experience bottom-up problem-solving firsthand by participating in swarm demonstrations in the Museum’s lobby on selected dates. See how insects coordinate actions, vote on decisions, alter their swarm’s behavior and even get stuck, unable to solve certain types of problems.
Swarm demonstrations will take place at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm on the following dates:
Saturday, July 21
Sunday, August 12
Saturday, August 25
Saturday, September 1
Saturday, September 8
Swarm Research Data: A Joint Venture between JCU and CWRU
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| Photograph showing relative sizes of the Mini-Whegs IV robot and a Blaberus gigantius cockroach. |
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Daniel W. Palmer 1, Marc Kirschenbaum 1, Jon Murton 1, Ravi Vaidyanathan 2, Roger D. Quinn 2
1. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, U.S.A.
2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.
Abstract
We introduce a method of designing behaviors for swarms of micro-robots based on observation of human beings executing various tasks collectively. As a case study, we have focused on the development of decentralized control strategies specifically applicable to swarms of the Mini-Whegs quadruped robot. The design process consists of carefully mapping hardware requirements for the robotic platforms in question, then tasking large groups (swarms) of human beings to perform mission specific tasks within the constraints of the robotic vehicle. A basic software engine has been developed and implemented to support on-line human swarm experiments in a virtual environment, with subsequent off-line algorithm extraction following for eventual transfer onto robotic platforms. In our ongoing work, a variety of virtual robotic swarm experiments have been performed, and various methods of algorithm extraction explored. Beyond swarm controller development, one of the most useful and practical aspects of this technology is that it enables those involved in micro-robotic research to understand from a first hand perspective the issues involved in performing global tasks with limited sensor information. We believe that the mining of virtual human swarm behaviors will lead to the successful development of control architectures capable of directing microrobot swarms in the field, as well as provide insights into the social behavior of all manner of multi-agent systems.