Grant: Alliance Grants

The next revolution in robotics is expected to be the distributed robotic systems. Collaboratively and without the need for a central agent, robots will evolve to perform complex applications that are beyond the capabilities of a single robot. Example applications include ocean exploration, wildland firefighting, transporting large objects, agriculture, managing warehouses, and performing essential services in hospitals and care homes. One key requirement in these applications is to map an unknown environment quickly and efficiently with a team of robots, in a distributed manner. In this proposal, we achieve this objective utilizing recent advances in neural networks and machine learning. To do this, an international collaboration is established with a university in the UK. The team in Canada will work on robotics and path planning, while the team in the UK will be responsible for mapping. This international collaboration will help train experts in multiple disciplines and develop novel robotic applications in both countries. Additionally, with the aging population globally, service robots will be more common in factories and warehouses. Developing such technologies makes Canada a pioneer and a global market leader in the applications of robotic systems. Utilizing robotic systems creates more opportunities by generating jobs in these novel application areas. Additionally, repetitive and dangerous tasks, often needed in industrial settings, will be done more efficiently and accurately by robots, minimizing risks to humans.