A Method for Local Collision-free Motion Coordination of Multiple Mobile Robots

This paper presents a new method driving multiple robots to their goal position without collision. To consider the movement of the robots in a work area, we adopt the concept of avoidability measure. To implement the concept in collision avoidance of multiple robots, relative distance between the robots is proposed. The relative distance is a virtual distance between robots indicating the threat of collision between the robots. Based on the relative distance, the method calculates repulsive force against a robot from the other robots. Also, attractive force toward the goal position is calculated in terms of the relative distance. The proposed method is simulated for several cases. The results show that the proposed method steers robots to open space anticipating the approach of other robots. The proposed method works as a local collision-free motion coordination method in conjunction with higher level of task planning and path planning method for multiple robots to do a collaborative job.