Human-robot teaming for extreme environments: an in-field experience

19^th April 2024, 00:00
Mario Gianni

Abstract

Autonomous multi-robot systems for maintenance and operations in extreme environments such as natural or human-caused disaster scenarios are cost effective and time efficient alternatives to human intervention. Most importantly, they can prevent exposure of humans to hazards which can represent either a direct threat to life or long-term health consequences. In this talk I’ll discuss some of the main challenges and proposed solutions towards the deployment of such systems in real hazardous scenarios with particular focus on situational awareness, coordination and cooperation, resilience and persistence. I’ll also discuss some of the main technological, social and economic barriers preventing autonomous multi-robot systems for being effectively deployed in practice including recent trends in trustworthy, shared autonomy and digital twinning.