The Importance of Information Flow Regulation in Preferentially Foraging Robot Swarms

Lenka Pitonakova, Richard Crowder, Seth Bullock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

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Abstract

Instead of committing to the first source of reward that it discovers, an agent engaged in "preferential foraging" continues to choose between different reward sources in order to maximise its foraging efficiency. In this paper, the effect of preferential source selection on the performance of robot swarms with different recruitment strategies is studied. The swarms are tasked with foraging from multiple sources in dynamic environments where worksite locations change periodically and thus need to be re-discovered. Analysis indicates that preferential foraging leads to a more even exploitation of resources and a more efficient exploration of the environment provided that information flow among robots, that results from recruitment, is regulated. On the other hand, preferential selection acts as a strong positive feedback mechanism for favouring the most popular reward source when robots exchange information rapidly in a small designated area, preventing the swarm from foraging efficiently and from responding to changes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSwarm Intelligence
Subtitle of host publication11th International Conference, ANTS 2018, Rome, Italy, October 29–31, 2018, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer, Cham
Pages277-289
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9783030005337
ISBN (Print)9783030005320
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Oct 2018
EventEleventh International Conference on Swarm Intelligence (ANTS 2018) - Rome, Italy
Duration: 29 Oct 2018 → 31 Oct 2018
http://www.swarm-intelligence.eu/ants2018/

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume11172
ISSN (Print)0302-9743

Conference

ConferenceEleventh International Conference on Swarm Intelligence (ANTS 2018)
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period29/10/18 → 31/10/18
Internet address

Keywords

  • swarm intelligence
  • robotics
  • Foraging

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    This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Springer at https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-00533-7_22 . Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.

    Accepted author manuscript, 1.26 MB

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    • T-B PHASE: Prosperity Partnership with Thales

      Richards, A. G. (Principal Investigator), Wilson, R. E. (Co-Investigator), Johnson, A. (Collaborator), Bullock, S. (Co-Investigator), Lawry, J. (Co-Investigator), Noyes, J. M. (Co-Investigator), Hauert, S. (Co-Investigator), Bode, N. W. F. (Co-Investigator), Pitonakova, L. (Researcher), Kent, T. (Researcher), Crosscombe, M. (Researcher), Zanatto, D. (Researcher), Alkan, B. (Researcher), Drury, K. L. (Manager), Hogg, E. (Student), Bonnell, W. D. (Student), Bennett, C. (Student), Clarke, C. E. M. (Student), Potts, M. W. (Student), Sartor, P. N. (Collaborator), Harvey, D. (Collaborator), Rayneau-Kirkhope, B. (Collaborator), Galvin, K. (Collaborator), Lam, J. (Collaborator), Barden, E. (Collaborator), Chattington, M. (Collaborator), Radanovic, M. (Researcher), Morey, E. J. (Student), Ball, M. (Co-Principal Investigator), Hunt, E. R. (Collaborator), Richards, A. G. (Principal Investigator), Radanovic, M. (Researcher), Morey, E. J. (Student), Steane, V. (Collaborator), Reed Edworthy, J. (Collaborator) & Hart, S. G. (Student)

      1/10/17 → 31/03/23

      Project: Research

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