Task Allocation in Multistate Systems

Abstract

Multistate task allocation inspired by social-insect polyethism is treated from the viewpoint of proportionally regulating a population between different states, i.e., the system is homeostatic against external disturbance and environmental change. Using a dynamical model consisting of identical elements and external variable “stock materials,” adaptability to external disturbances is studied numerically. Experiments are performed with actual robots moving in virtual pheromone fields simulated by computer graphics and video camera feedback demonstrating task allocation.