In this paper we consider cooperative manipulation problems where a large group (swarm) of non-articulated mobile robots is trying to cooperatively control the velocity of some larger rigid body by exerting forces around its perimeter. We consider a second-order dynamic model for the object but use a simplified contact model. We seek solutions that require minimal information sharing among the swarm members. We present a velocity control law that is ...
We address the problem of testing complex reactive control systems and validating the effectiveness of multi-agent controllers. Testing and validation involve searching for conditions that lead to system failure by exploring all adversarial inputs and disturbances for errant trajectories. This problem of testing is related to motion planning, with one main difference. Unlike motion planning problems, systems are typically not controllable with respect to disturbances or adversarial inputs and therefore, ...