SwarmBot Network
A mesh-networked swarm of 8 low-cost robots that coordinate via MQTT to perform collective mapping, search, and manipulation tasks.
Overview
SwarmBot is a research project exploring decentralized swarm coordination using consumer-grade hardware. Each bot costs under $80 and communicates with peers via a local MQTT broker.
Architecture
- Compute: Raspberry Pi Zero 2W per bot
- Comms: WiFi mesh via MQTT broker on edge node
- Sensing: IR proximity, camera module, IMU
- Actuation: 2-wheel differential drive
Behaviors Demonstrated
- Flocking — Reynolds boids-style cohesion/separation/alignment
- Area Coverage — probabilistic frontier-based exploration
- Object Transport — coordinated pushing of objects too large for one bot
Results
Achieved 87% area coverage of a 4x4m space in under 3 minutes with 8 bots.