A Software Ecosystem for Groups of Heterogeneous Autonomous Robots

该项目旨在研究新的方法来创建一个特定于群体自主机器人的软件生态系统，包括编程语言，中间件和应用程序部署。 这是加拿大的一个战略领域，因为我们目前正处于一场新技术革命的边缘：自主机器人越来越多地出现在我们的日常生活中。从无人机到自动驾驶汽车，这些系统正变得越来越普遍，并被用于多种应用中。机器人应用的例子包括搜索和救援行动、工业和农业检查、协调车辆编队、航空测绘和纪念碑数字化以及医疗或手术活动。 我们设想一个世界，设计师可以指定的行为异构组的机器人，并包装这种行为的应用程序，可以安装在多个机器人系统。这些机器人应用程序将有一个市场，无人机和其他设备的制造商将允许客户购买和定制这些行为，以适应他们的特定活动。 我们的目标是开发一种编程语言，软件工程实践，以及异构多机器人系统的应用程序开发和交付生态系统。该项目的成功完成将使加拿大处于具有革命性市场潜力的新兴领域的最前沿。

This project is to investigate novel approaches to create a software ecosystem specific to groups autonomous robots, including programming languages, middleware, and application deployment. This is a strategic area for Canada, as we are currently on the verge of a new techology revolution: autonomous robots are becoming more and more present in our everyday lives. From drones to self-driving cars, these systems are becoming pervasive, and are used in many kinds of applications. Examples of robotic applications are search and rescue operations, industrial and agricultural inspection, coordinated vehicle platooning, aerial mapping and monument digitization, and medical or surgical activities. We envision a world where a designer can specify the behaviour of heterogeneous groups of robots, and package this behaviour in an application that can be installed on multiple robotic systems. There will be a market for these robotic apps, and manufacturer of drones and other devices will allow customers to purchase and customize these behaviours for their specific activities. Our objective is to develop a programming language, software engineering practices, and an application development and delivery ecosystem for heterogeneous multi-robot systems. The successful completion of this project would put Canada at the forefront of an emerging field with a revolutionary market potential.