Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Technology

Team-working robots huddle together to boost comms

By David Hambling

28 July 2010

Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Let’s stick together

(Image: Santa Clara University)

WHEN you are in hostile territory, it pays to stick together – especially if you are a robot. Falling into line will be easier with an innovative communication system that combines the clout of robots’ individual radio antennas, making sure they stay in touch with their headquarters.

Communicating with robots on the ground gets harder once they move beyond the line of sight, but equipping a group with the “sparse antenna” technology improves communications by extending the radio range. The technology eliminates dead spots, where contact is lost completely, and minimises interference from large…

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