Task Allocation for Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on Combinatorial Auctions

Author(s):  
Sa Xu ◽  
Lianfei Yu ◽  
Xin Deng ◽  
Luohao Tang
2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongfei Miao ◽  
Luo Zhong ◽  
Yufu Yin ◽  
Chengming Zou ◽  
Zhenjun Luo

To solve the distributed task allocation problems of search and rescue missions for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), this paper establishes a dynamic task allocation model under three conditions: 1) when new targets are detected, 2) when UAVs break down and 3) when unexpected threats suddenly occur. A distributed immune multi-agent algorithm (DIMAA) based on an immune multi-agent network framework is then proposed. The technologies employed by the proposed algorithm include a multi-agent system (MAS) with immune memory, neighbourhood clonal selection, neighbourhood suppression, neighbourhood crossover and self-learning operators. The DIMAA algorithm simplifies the decision-making process among agents. The simulation results show that this algorithm not only obtains the global optimum solution, but also reduces the communication load between agents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Amjaad Alhaqbani ◽  
Heba Kurdi ◽  
Kamal Youcef-Toumi

The challenge concerning the optimal allocation of tasks across multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (multi-UAVs) has significantly spurred research interest due to its contribution to the success of various fleet missions. This challenge becomes more complex in time-constrained missions, particularly if they are conducted in hostile environments, such as search and rescue (SAR) missions. In this study, a novel fish-inspired algorithm for multi-UAV missions (FIAM) for task allocation is proposed, which was inspired by the adaptive schooling and foraging behaviors of fish. FIAM shows that UAVs in an SAR mission can be similarly programmed to aggregate in groups to swiftly survey disaster areas and rescue-discovered survivors. FIAM’s performance was compared with three long-standing multi-UAV task allocation (MUTA) paradigms, namely, opportunistic task allocation scheme (OTA), auction-based scheme, and ant-colony optimization (ACO). Furthermore, the proposed algorithm was also compared with the recently proposed locust-inspired algorithm for MUTA problem (LIAM). The experimental results demonstrated FIAM’s abilities to maintain a steady running time and a decreasing mean rescue time with a substantially increasing percentage of rescued survivors. For instance, FIAM successfully rescued 100% of the survivors with merely 16 UAVs, for scenarios of no more than eight survivors, whereas LIAM, Auction, ACO and OTA rescued a maximum of 75%, 50%, 35% and 35%, respectively, for the same scenarios. This superiority of FIAM performance was maintained under a different fleet size and number of survivors, demonstrating the approach’s flexibility and scalability.


Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Yixiang Lim ◽  
Nichakorn Pongsarkornsathien ◽  
Alessandro Gardi ◽  
Roberto Sabatini ◽  
Trevor Kistan ◽  
...  

Advances in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have paved the way for progressively higher levels of intelligence and autonomy, supporting new modes of operation, such as the one-to-many (OTM) concept, where a single human operator is responsible for monitoring and coordinating the tasks of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This paper presents the development and evaluation of cognitive human-machine interfaces and interactions (CHMI2) supporting adaptive automation in OTM applications. A CHMI2 system comprises a network of neurophysiological sensors and machine-learning based models for inferring user cognitive states, as well as the adaptation engine containing a set of transition logics for control/display functions and discrete autonomy levels. Models of the user’s cognitive states are trained on past performance and neurophysiological data during an offline calibration phase, and subsequently used in the online adaptation phase for real-time inference of these cognitive states. To investigate adaptive automation in OTM applications, a scenario involving bushfire detection was developed where a single human operator is responsible for tasking multiple UAV platforms to search for and localize bushfires over a wide area. We present the architecture and design of the UAS simulation environment that was developed, together with various human-machine interface (HMI) formats and functions, to evaluate the CHMI2 system’s feasibility through human-in-the-loop (HITL) experiments. The CHMI2 module was subsequently integrated into the simulation environment, providing the sensing, inference, and adaptation capabilities needed to realise adaptive automation. HITL experiments were performed to verify the CHMI2 module’s functionalities in the offline calibration and online adaptation phases. In particular, results from the online adaptation phase showed that the system was able to support real-time inference and human-machine interface and interaction (HMI2) adaptation. However, the accuracy of the inferred workload was variable across the different participants (with a root mean squared error (RMSE) ranging from 0.2 to 0.6), partly due to the reduced number of neurophysiological features available as real-time inputs and also due to limited training stages in the offline calibration phase. To improve the performance of the system, future work will investigate the use of alternative machine learning techniques, additional neurophysiological input features, and a more extensive training stage.


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