Group action robot 'HeRo 2.0' that can be created in the 2000 yen range

In recent years, the development of a technology called ' swarm robotics ' that allows a large number of robots to communicate with each other and take actions according to their purpose is progressing. Swarm robotics has the problem that 'it costs a lot to prepare a large number of robots', but a new inexpensive robot ' HeRo ' that can be prepared for $ 18.72 (about 2400 yen) per unit 2.0 'has been announced.

[2202.12391] HeRo 2.0: A Low-Cost Robot for Swarm Robotics Research
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2202.12391

HeRo 2.0, an ultra-low cost 3D-printed robotics platform, could open swarm robotics experimentation up to all
https://www.wevolver.com/article/hero-20-an-ultra-low-cost-3d-printed-robotics-platform-could-open-swarm-robotics-experimentation-up-to-all

Swarm robotics is a technology that moves a large number of robots as one group according to a unique purpose by letting the robots grasp the positional relationship with each other. This swarm robotics is expected to be used for many purposes such as 'weather monitoring', 'collection of agricultural work data', and 'space exploration', and research is underway all over the world. In the following articles, you can see how swarm robotics control the movement of the robot.

Collective action robot 'Kilobot' that acts according to a certain purpose while communicating with each other --GIGAZINE

Since it is necessary to prepare a large number of robots to conduct research on swarm robotics, the high cost of preparing robots has been an obstacle to research and development. The swarm robotics robot 'HeRo 2.0' developed by the research team of the Federal University of Minas Gerais has released the design drawing of parts and the source code of the software, and it is cheaper than the robot so far at 18.72 dollars per unit. We have achieved the price.

The actually assembled 'HeRo 2.0' is below. Many parts such as body covers and wheels are made with 3D printers.

According to the research team, 'HeRo 2.0' is for swarm robotics such as 'small size', 'can operate for 3 hours while detecting each other's location information', 'can be made with easily available materials', and 'high resistance to obstacles'. It is said that it has sufficient performance as a robot of. In addition, the software required for operation is developed in open source, and you can add your own functions using the development software Arduino IDE , which is widely used in the electronic work industry.

Since 3D printers are often used for the parts of 'HeRo 2.0', there are problems such as 'the quality of the parts varies' and 'the durability is difficult when operated for a long time'. For this reason, the research team plans to continue designing to suppress quality variations and durability tests of parts.