In the newsletter of March 2022, we would like to highlight the research work of Baumann&Martinoli, 2021 published in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2021.103849). In this study, they leveraged Khepera IV robots and studied the design of tightly integrated allocation, control, and estimation algorithms enabling coordinated movements of a group of robots. They validated their algorithms through simulation and physical experiments, showing the design effectiveness of their modular framework based on functional elements. Furthermore, thanks to the developed modular framework, they explored the impact of localization and communication constraints on the collective movement performance of the multi-robot system. In conclusion, algorithm benchmarking is more operational when defining modularity based on functionality. Safely moving a group of robots following specific requirements (e.g. as a flock or formation) is one of the basic and yet essential component needed for multi-vehicle applications such as space coverage and exploration, search and rescue scenarios, and management of transportation systems. Investigating collective movements through Khepera IV mobile robots is one effective way to tackle hard multi-vehicle coordination challenges in the physical world.

At the beginning of this year, we would like to present you with the Augmented Reality for Kilobots (ARK) system. This system, published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters in July 2017 (https://doi.org/10.1109/LRA.2017.2700059), was first developed at the University of Sheffield and later replicated in several laboratories across Europe. ARK enhances the capabilities of Kilobot robots as they are able to sense and modify a virtual environment in real-time based on their state and location. Hence, the ARK system allows running experiments with Kilobots equipped with virtual sensors and actuators. Furthermore, ARK simplifies operating large Kilobot swarms as it offers automation tools for house-keeping operations, such as automatic motor calibration, unique ID assignment, and positioning. The ARK system is composed of an overhead camera tracking system that follows the Kilobots’ state and location, an overhead emitter that communicates with the Kilobots via infrared signals, and a base control station that orchestrates the system and runs the simulation of the virtual environment. The great advantages of this system are that it is open-source, similarly to Kilobot robots it is inexpensive, it expands Kilobots’ functionalities and simplifies operating the robots. The ARK system has been successfully tested in large-scale experiments with up to 200 Kilobots collectively foraging in an augmented real environment (see Talamali et al., 2020; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11721-019-00176-9). We consider the ARK system as a low-cost solution to increase the basic sensors and actuators of the Kilobot robots, and to enable even more sophisticated research in swarm robotics.

Full motion video ARK system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0KvPzhOSDo

Full motion video Swarm intelligence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wqN9T6Y4VA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This summer, our production department has been equipped with the latest model of a “Pick and Place” SMT machine by Europlacer. Infinitely configurable and very fast Iineo+ is one of the most efficient model on the market. Thanks to its cutting-edges technologies, our customers will be guaranteed a consistently high level of quality.
 
The Iineo+ machine is part of our investment policy to progressively replace our machines. K-Team will use a fleet of new machines to anticipate our needs for the years to come.

Have a question, comment or want to know more? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact us here or follow us on our Facebook page! K-Team

We are official sponsor of DARS 2016 which will be held on the 6-9 November 2016 at the Natural History Museum in London, UK. Our distributor Rahal Technology Ltd will be present during the symposium and will be pleased to answer your questions about our products.