A Distributed Intelligent System for Emergency Convoy

The general problem that guides this research is the ability to design a distributed intelligent system for guiding the emergency convoys; a solution that will be based on a group of agents and on the analysis of traffic in order to generate collective functional response. It fits into the broader issue of Distributed Artificial System (DAI), which is to operate a cooperatively computer agent into multi-agents system (MAS). This article describes conceptually two fundamental questions of emergency convoys. The first question is dedicated to find a response to the traffic situation (i.e. fluid way), while the second is devoted to the convoy orientation; while putting the point on the distributed and cooperative resolution for the general problem

3D Formation Control in Multi-Robot Teams Using Artificial Potential Fields

Multi-robot teams find applications in emergency response, search and rescue operations, convoy support and many more. Teams of autonomous aerial vehicles can also be used to protect a cargo of airplanes by surrounding them in some geometric shape. This research develops a control algorithm to attract UAVs to one or a set of bounded geometric shapes while avoiding collisions, re-configuring in the event of departure or addition of UAVs and maneuvering in mission space while retaining the configuration. Using potential field theory, weighted vector fields are described to attract UAVs to a desired formation. In order to achieve this, three vector fields are defined: one attracts UAVs located outside the formation towards bounded geometric shape; one pushes them away from the center towards the desired region and the third controls collision avoidance and dispersion of UAVs within the formation. The result is a control algorithm that is theoretically justified and verified using MATLAB which generates velocity vectors to attract UAVs to a loose formation and maneuver in the mission space while remaining in formation. This approach efficiently scales to different team sizes

LanguageMPC: Large Language Models as Decision Makers for Autonomous Driving

Existing learning-based autonomous driving (AD) systems face challenges in comprehending high-level information, generalizing to rare events, and providing interpretability. To address these problems, this work employs Large Language Models (LLMs) as a decision-making component for complex AD scenarios that require human commonsense understanding. We devise cognitive pathways to enable comprehensive reasoning with LLMs, and develop algorithms for translating LLM decisions into actionable driving commands. Through this approach, LLM decisions are seamlessly integrated with low-level controllers by guided parameter matrix adaptation. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our proposed method not only consistently surpasses baseline approaches in single-vehicle tasks, but also helps handle complex driving behaviors even multi-vehicle coordination, thanks to the commonsense reasoning capabilities of LLMs. This paper presents an initial step toward leveraging LLMs as effective decision-makers for intricate AD scenarios in terms of safety, efficiency, generalizability, and interoperability. We aspire for it to serve as inspiration for future research in this field. Project page: https://sites.google.com/view/llm-mp

Participatory design in the development of the wheelchair convoy system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In long-term care environments, residents who have severe mobility deficits are typically transported by having another person push the individual in a manual wheelchair. This practice is inefficient and encourages staff to hurry to complete the process, thereby setting the stage for unsafe practices. Furthermore, the time involved in assembling multiple individuals with disabilities often deters their participation in group activities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Wheelchair Convoy System (WCS) is being developed to allow a single caregiver to move multiple individuals without removing them from their wheelchairs. The WCS will consist of a processor, and a flexible cord linking each wheelchair to the wheelchair in front of it. A Participatory Design approach – in which several iterations of design, fabrication and evaluation are used to elicit feedback from users – was used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An iterative cycle of development and evaluation was followed through five prototypes of the device. The third and fourth prototypes were evaluated in unmanned field trials at J. Iverson Riddle Development Center. The prototypes were used to form a convoy of three wheelchairs that successfully completed a series of navigation tasks.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A Participatory Design approach to the project allowed the design of the WCS to quickly evolve towards a viable solution. The design that emerged by the end of the fifth development cycle bore little resemblance to the initial design, but successfully met the project's design criteria. Additional development and testing is planned to further refine the system.</p

Challenges in artificial socio-cognitive systems: A study based on intelligent vehicles

This record contains the (video) data and source code created in relation to the submitted thesis of the same title.The videos included in this collection have been derived using the 3D view components included in the BSF software framework, during a number of scenarios explained more fully in the related thesis: "Challenges in artificial socio-cognitive systems: A study based on intelligent vehicles" Additional views such as the graph views have been created from the rdfUtilities package. These scenarios can be re-run by using the included version of the BSF framework which is provided as zip file. From the command line, run "ant -p" to see available projects, which includes the traffic simulation, institutions, 3D view, and more

Truck platooning: great prospect or unrealistic concept for military logistics in Europe?

Truck platooning is a technology that allows trucks to drive in a convoy one behind the other, communicating with each other and adapting themselves to the convoy. There are various configurations with different degrees of autonomy but, in most cases, there is still a driver on board, which distinguishes the concept from fully autonomous vehicles. In this article, Dominik Juling examines the advantages, hurdles and limits of military truck platooning in Europe, and provides examples of projects and technologies that are already operational. The benefits include a reduced number of drivers, increased safety for the crew and less resource consumption