Map-based Navigation Interface for Multiple Rescue Robots

In this paper, we present a navigation interface for multiple robots. For the task of information collection in disaster areas, it is efficient to use multiple robots. However with existing interfaces of rescue robots, one operator can not conveniently control multiple robots at the same time. In this paper, we report the development of an interface that offers convenient interaction with multiple robots at the same time. In the proposed interface, the system displays the environment map surrounding the robots on the monitor and the operator can graphically input the target position for multiple robots. Moreover, using the touch-pen device, the operator can group multiple robots easily, and grouped robots can move to the target position using a formation control algorithm.