aiqbench analysis
This research addresses a critical bottleneck in multi-robot systems by introducing an algorithm that simultaneously maintains fleet connectivity and ensures traversability within obstacle-rich environments. The proposed MPC--CLF--CBF method significantly outperforms existing reactive controllers, achieving near-perfect graph-connected time while avoiding deadlocks in cluttered workspaces. Validated through both high-fidelity simulations with up to 12 robots and physical experiments using nano-quadrotors, this advancement represents a tangible step toward more robust autonomous swarms capable of recovering from temporary separations without human intervention.
Connectivity Maintenance and Recovery for Multi-Robot Motion Planning
arXiv:2510.03504v3 Announce Type: replace Abstract: Connectivity is crucial in many multi-robot applications, yet balancing connectivity maintenance and fleet traversability in obstacle-rich environments remains challenging. Reactive controllers based on control barrier functions can preserve connectivity when it is initially satisfied, but often struggle with deadlocks in cluttered environments. We propose a real-time B\'ezier-based constrained motion planning algorithm, namely MPC--CLF--CBF, that produces trajectories and control inputs concurrently, subject to high-order control barrier function and control Lyapunov function constraints. Our motion planner supports connectivity-aware navigation in cluttered workspaces and recovers connectivity from initially disconnected configurations and after temporary obstacle-induced separation; it also provides analytic continuous-time derivatives, facilitating its application to agile differentially flat systems such as quadrotors. In simulations with $4$--$12$ robots, it maintains $95.8$--$100\%$ graph-connected time at $20\%$ obstacle density, compared with $48.9$--$61.3\%$ for MPC--CBF, with no observed collisions. We further validate the planner in a physical experiment with $8$ Crazyflie nano-quadrotors.
Abstract:Connectivity is crucial in many multi-robot applications, yet balancing connectivity maintenance and fleet traversability in obstacle-rich environments remains challenging. Reactive controllers based on control barrier functions can preserve connectivity when it is initially satisfied, but often struggle with deadlocks in cluttered environments. We propose a real-time Bézier-based constrained motion planning algorithm, namely MPC--CLF--CBF, that produces trajectories and control inputs concurrently, subject to high-order control barrier function and control Lyapunov function constraints. Our motion planner supports connectivity-aware navigation in cluttered workspaces and recovers connectivity from initially disconnected configurations and after temporary obstacle-induced separation; it also provides analytic continuous-time derivatives, facilitating its application to agile differentially flat systems such as quadrotors. In simulations with $4$--$12$ robots, it maintains $95.8$--$100\%$ graph-connected time at $20\%$ obstacle density, compared with $48.9$--$61.3\%$ for MPC--CBF, with no observed collisions. We further validate the planner in a physical experiment with $8$ Crazyflie nano-quadrotors.
8 pages, 3 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the 2026 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2026), Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Robotics (cs.RO)
arXiv:2510.03504 [cs.RO]
(or arXiv:2510.03504v3 [cs.RO] for this version)
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 180 words
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