Ant-Inspired, Invisible-Hand-Controlled Robotic System to Support Rescue Works After Earthquake

Abstract

A bridge/scaffolding system, based on ants-like robots is proposed. Collective Intelligence of the system is derived from Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand phenomena (ASIH). Such a bridge system will be air/truck delivered to a particular earthquake location. Next, the bridge-robots, initialized by trained supervisors, will collectively assemble a bridge by means of transporting a chain or scaffolding structure similar to that of bridges made by ants joining their bodies together. Additionally, bridge-robots, task-controlled by supervisors, should also provide the functions of light crane or conveyor belt systems to manipulate heavy debris. Different rescue scenarios have been presented with the help of 3D graphics.