Supervisory control of multiple robots based on a real-time strategy game interaction paradigm

Abstract

As robots are deployed beyond the laboratory and into the field, the method with which they interact with their operators is vital to efficient and optimal use. This paper describes the design and implementation of a supervisory control architecture that enables the straightforward operation of multiple complex robots. The design was inspired by the flexibility and scalability of the real-time strategy (RTS) game interface paradigm. However, the basic RTS architecture had to be substantially adapted to accommodate the constraints of field robot operation. Initial experimental results show that this familiar and tested interaction paradigm is applicable for complex robotics systems.