The exploration of unknown environments is an essential application of multi-robot systems, particularly in critical missions, such as hazard detection and search and rescue. These missions share the need to reach full coverage of the explorable space in the shortest time possible. To minimize the completion time, robots in the fleet must be able to reliably exchange information about the environment with one another.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn 1794, French Engineer Claude Chappe coordinated the deployment of a network of dozens of optical semaphores. These formed "strings" that were hundreds of kilometers long, allowing for nationwide telegraphy. The Chappe telegraph inspired future developments of long-range telecommunications using electrical telegraphs and, later, digital telecommunication.
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