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Multi-robot routing problem with min-max objective
Halmstad University, School of Information Technology, Halmstad Embedded and Intelligent Systems Research (EIS), CAISR - Center for Applied Intelligent Systems Research.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6119-6615
Halmstad University, School of Information Technology, Halmstad Embedded and Intelligent Systems Research (EIS), CAISR - Center for Applied Intelligent Systems Research.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5163-2997
2021 (English)In: Robotics, ISSN 2218-6581, Vol. 10, no 4, article id 122Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In this paper, we study the “Multi-Robot Routing problem” with min–max objective (MRR-MM) in detail. It involves the assignment of sequentially ordered tasks to robots such that the maximum cost of the slowest robot is minimized. The problem description, the different types of formulations, and the methods used across various research communities are discussed in this paper. We propose a new problem formulation by treating this problem as a bipartite graph with a permutation matrix to solve it. A comparative study is done between three methods: Stochastic simulated annealing, deterministic mean-field annealing, and a heuristic-based graph search method. Each method is investigated in detail with several data sets (simulation and real-world), and the results are analysed and compared with respect to scalability, computational complexity, optimality, and its application to real-world scenarios. The paper shows that the heuristic method produces results very quickly with good scalability. However, the solution quality is sub-optimal. On the other hand, when optimal or near-optimal results are required with considerable computational resources, the simulated annealing method proves to be more efficient. However, the results show that the optimal choice of algorithm depends on the dataset size and the available computational budget. The contribution of the paper is three-fold: We study the MRR-MM problem in detail across various research communities. This study also shows the lack of inter-research terminology that has led to different names for the same problem. Secondly, formulating the task allocation problem as a permutation matrix formulation (bipartite graph) has opened up new approaches to solve this problem. Thirdly, we applied our problem formulation to three different methods and conducted a detailed comparative study using real-world and simulation data. © 2021 by the authors.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Basel: MDPI, 2021. Vol. 10, no 4, article id 122
Keywords [en]
task assignment, multiple robots, task-ordering, simulated annealing, approximation method
National Category
Robotics and automation
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-45856DOI: 10.3390/robotics10040122ISI: 000738402300001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85119036702OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-45856DiVA, id: diva2:1610008
Available from: 2021-11-09 Created: 2021-11-09 Last updated: 2026-01-07Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. A Hybrid Task Allocation and Motion Planning Framework for Mobile Robots
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Hybrid Task Allocation and Motion Planning Framework for Mobile Robots
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This thesis investigates the challenges associated with task allocation and motion planning in dynamic and complex environments involving fleets of mobile robots. The primary objective is to coordinate task allocation and trajectory planning in a manner that promotes balanced workload distribution, formulated as the minimization of the maximum operational cost incurred by any individual robot. A hybrid planning framework is proposed in which centralized task allocation and global path planning are performed under static assumptions, while execution-level feasibility is maintained through local trajectory refinement. Task allocation is formulated using a permutation-matrix representation and explored using multiple solution strategies, including deterministic annealing with Potts neurons, stochastic simulated annealing, and heuristic graph-based methods. The cost matrix, derived from global path planners and representing path length and/or traversal time, enables a systematic comparison of these approaches in terms of solution quality, computational complexity, and scalability. The results indicate that deterministic annealing can produce high-quality, balanced task allocations for small- to mediumscale problem instances, while heuristic methods offer improved robustness and computational efficiency in larger or time-critical scenarios. At the motion-planning level, the framework adapts the CHOMP (Covariant Hamiltonian Optimization for Motion Planning) algorithm to account for the kinematic constraints of non-holonomic wheeled mobile robots. Rather than serving as a standalone global planner, the modified CHOMP formulation is used as a local trajectory refinement mechanism, enabling collision avoidance and feasibility preservation during execution. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that this approach improves trajectory smoothness and feasibility in moderately dynamic environments, while also highlighting limitations related to scalability and sensitivity to initialization. Overall, this thesis presents an integrated task and motion planning framework that emphasizes structured problem formulation and systematic trade-off analysis rather than universal optimality. By explicitly examining the conditions under which different allocation and motion-planning strategies are effective, the work contributes practical insights into multi-robot coordination and supports the informed deployment of autonomous robotic systems in industrial and logistics automation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Halmstad: Halmstad University Press, 2025. p. 57
Series
Halmstad University Dissertations ; 140
Keywords
mobile robots, motion planning, task allocation, multiple robots
National Category
Robotics and automation
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58123 (URN)978-91-90123-06-5 (ISBN)978-91-90123-07-2 (ISBN)
Public defence
2026-02-04, S3030, Kristian IV:s väg 3, Halmstad, 13:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2026-01-08 Created: 2026-01-07 Last updated: 2026-01-08Bibliographically approved

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David, JenniferRögnvaldsson, Thorsteinn

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