Towards applied swarm robotics: current limitations and enablers

Swarm robotics addresses the design, deployment, and analysis of large groups of robots that collaborate to perform tasks in a decentralized manner. Research in this field has predominantly relied on simulations or small-scale robots with limited sensing, actuation, and computational capabilities. C...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Miquel Kegeleirs, Mauro Birattari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Robotics and AI
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1607978/full
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Summary:Swarm robotics addresses the design, deployment, and analysis of large groups of robots that collaborate to perform tasks in a decentralized manner. Research in this field has predominantly relied on simulations or small-scale robots with limited sensing, actuation, and computational capabilities. Consequently, despite significant advancements, swarm robotics has yet to see widespread commercial or industrial application. A major barrier to practical deployment is the lack of affordable, modern, and robust platforms suitable for real-world scenarios. Moreover, a narrow definition of what swarm robotics should be has restricted the scope of potential applications. In this paper, we argue that the development of more advanced robotic platforms—incorporating state-of-the-art technologies such as SLAM, computer vision, and reliable communication systems—and the adoption of a broader interpretation of swarm robotics could significantly expand its range of applicability. This would enable robot swarms to tackle a wider variety of real-world tasks and integrate more effectively with existing systems, ultimately paving the way for successful deployment.
ISSN:2296-9144