Self-Localization Based on Multiresolution Map for Remote Control of Multiple Mobile Robots

This paper proposes a localization method using multiresolution maps for the navigation of multiple mobile robots based on formation behaviors. The remote control of multiple mobile robots is one the most important tasks in robotics to realize distributed remote monitoring in unknown and/or dynamic environments. However, it is very difficult for a human operator to control multiple mobile robots separately at the same time. Therefore, autonomous formation behaviors of multiple robots are required to reduce mental and physical loads of the human operator. If each mobile robot can estimate the self-position or relative position in a group, it is easier for multiple mobile robots to realize formation behaviors. First, we propose a method of simultaneous localization and mapping based on a grid approach. Next, we explain how to share the build map among multiple mobile robots, and propose a self-localization method based on multiresolution maps. Furthermore, we explain the formation behaviors of multiple mobile robots. Finally, we show several experimental results, and discuss the effectiveness of the proposed method.