Theoretical problems for the realization of distributed robotic systems

The authors consider the specific problems most likely to be critical to progress in distributed robotic systems. This perspective suggests that the most promising approach to the design of practical algorithms for complex tasks might be to develop hybrid solutions comprising three stages: (1) use of interacting many-body techniques to form one dimensional substructures in continuous space; (2) application of cellular robot systems techniques to reconfigure the substructure with the desired qualities; and (3) application of standard control theory techniques for maintaining the configuration during subsequent operation