Swarm intelligence simulation with NXT robots using Piconet and Scatternet

This study deals with swarm intelligence simulation through simple Lego NXT robots using Piconet and Scatternet networks. In this research, held at the Kecskemet College faculty of GAMF, we simulated the ants´ food collecting habits, in an artificial area, with low-cost NXT robots. These autonomous robots formed groups and collected objects/foods. They communicated with each other via Bluetooth and they used several sensors, such as touch, light and ultrasonic ones, to resolve their tasks. In the first part of the research, the group consisted of one master and three slave robots, similarly to the Piconet network. Then in the second part, we improved the communication system to a better one, allowing communication in a bigger group than a Piconet network, similar to the Scatternet network. This research could be a good starting point to other practical applications, such as, for example rescuing people and values from a polluted area or for solving collective topographical tasks.