Sequential single-item auction improvements for heterogeneous multi-robot routing

dc.contributor.authorSullivan, N.
dc.contributor.authorGrainger, S.
dc.contributor.authorCazzolato, B.
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractWe introduce new auction bidding and resolution algorithms to improve multi-robot sequential single-item auctions for heterogeneous systems. We consider two objectives, minimising the energy usage and time required to complete all tasks. Sequential single-item auctions are computationally inexpensive while producing efficient task allocations for homogeneous robots, but produce less efficient allocations for heterogeneous robots. Our algorithms provide consistent and significant (up to 20%) improvements for both objectives for a number of scenarios relative to the standard auction process, as tested in MATLAB simulations. Interestingly, our algorithms produce faster task completion even in homogeneous systems. We also introduce a new algorithm for sequential single-item auctions when robots have partial knowledge of their environment. We illustrate its improved performance and analyse its sensitivity, showing that precise tuning is not essential for faster and more efficient task completion. These improvements can reduce energy usage and task completion times for both indoor and outdoor robots in a variety of fields.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityNick Sullivan, Steven Grainger, Ben Cazzolato
dc.identifier.citationRobotics and Autonomous Systems, 2019; 115:130-142
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.robot.2019.02.016
dc.identifier.issn0921-8890
dc.identifier.issn1872-793X
dc.identifier.orcidSullivan, N. [0000-0002-3836-4104]
dc.identifier.orcidGrainger, S. [0000-0003-4664-7320]
dc.identifier.orcidCazzolato, B. [0000-0003-2308-799X]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/122043
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.rights© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2019.02.016
dc.subjectMulti-robot; path planning; routing; sequential auction
dc.titleSequential single-item auction improvements for heterogeneous multi-robot routing
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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