In order to deal with the multi-target search problems for swarm robots in unknown complex environments, a multi-target coordinated search algorithm for swarm robots considering practical constraints is proposed in this paper. Firstly, according to the target detection situation of swarm robots, an ideal search algorithm framework combining the strategy of roaming search and coordinated search is established. Secondly, based on the framework of the multi-target search algorithm, a simplified virtual force model is combined, which effectively overcomes the real-time obstacle avoidance problem in the target search of swarm robots. Finally, in order to solve the distributed communication problem in the multi-target search of swarm robots, a distributed neighborhood communication mechanism based on a time-varying characteristic swarm with a restricted random line of sight is proposed, and which is combined with the multi-target search framework. For the swarm robot kinematics, obstacle avoidance, and communication constraints of swarm robots, the proposed multi-target search strategy is more stable, efficient, and practical than the previous methods. The effectiveness of this proposed method is verified by numerical simulations.

A multitarget search algorithm for swarm robot in an unknown 3D mountain environment is proposed. Most existing 3D environment obstacle avoidance algorithms are potential field methods, which need to consider the location information of all obstacles around the robot, and they easily fall into local optima, and their calculation is complex. Furthermore, they cannot well meet the requirements of real-time obstacle avoidance characteristics of swarm robots in multiobject searches. This paper first focuses on solving the obstacle avoidance problem of swarm robots in mountain environments. A new 3D curved obstacle tracking algorithm (3D-COTA) is designed by discretizing the mountains within the detection range of robot obstacles. Then, a task assignment model and virtual force model in 2D space are extended to 3D, and a particle swarm search model with kinematic constraints is constructed, which considers the kinematic constraints and the limitations of the communication ability of the robots. Finally, a new multitarget search algorithm for swarm robot in an unknown 3D mountain environment is proposed by means of the designed 3D surface obstacle tracking algorithm. Numerical simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

When searching for multiple targets in an unknown complex environment, swarm robots should firstly form a number of subswarms autonomously through a task division model and then each subswarm searches for a target in parallel. Based on the probability response principle and multitarget division strategy, a closed-loop regulation strategy is proposed, which includes target type of member, target response intensity evaluation, and distance to the corresponding individuals. Besides, it is necessary to make robots avoid other robots and convex obstacles with various shapes in the unknown complex environment. By decomposing the multitarget search behavior of swarm robots, a simplified virtual-force model (SVF-Model) is developed for individual robots, and a control method is designed for swarm robots searching for multiple targets (SRSMT-SVF). The simulation results indicate that the proposed method keeps the robot with a good performance of collision avoidance, effectively reducing the collision conflicts among the robots, environment, and individuals.

Three dimensional space point pattern matching technology shows significant usage in many scientific fields. It is a great challenge to match pairwise with rigid transformation in three dimensional space. In this paper, we propose an...