Executive Summary - Users Point of View
January 28th, 2002

Multiple Robot Network
Group # 15

Group Members:
Jaweeria Ashraf (group leader)
Vicky Bui
Louis Sumner
Trishna Upadhyay

Faculty advisor: Dr. Tureli

The Multiple Robot Network is a design that provides a suitable need to the society. The tasks of this project are detecting and tracking objects, specifically robots. The main functions of this project to the market are as follows:
" It detects robots within a confined area
" It has the ability to differentiate between various robots
" It is capable of displaying the motion of the robot on the computer screen

Several technologies had been researched, and the final one that has been chosen is the RFID technology. By using RFID technology and writing a suitable C++ program, the Multiple Robot Network can track the motion of the robots and display it on the computer screen. For example, given two moving robots in a room, we will determine the directions the robots are heading towards. The computer screen will display the identification of the robots as well as their course of movement.

The major application of the Multiple Robot Network is to track people within a confined area. For instance, it can be used in nursing home or hospital to keep track of patients to avoid emergency hazards.

Furthermore, this project can be applied in a large-scale facility, which requires the tracking of people or objects using wireless protocols. As in the case of a penitentiary, the most dangerous prisoners can be monitored and kept within the confines of the prison grounds. This will prevent any escape or outbreak from occurring.

There are numerous other tracking designs in the current market. One of the tracking systems consists of chip implants from Destron Fearing. Destron Fearing is a corporation who owns patents on microchips implanted technology. They specialize in implanted animal trackers. Also, they are into further research about implanted miniaturize chip in human (to process human's movement). This is an unsafe procedure and unnecessary compared to any other tracking system.

In addition, there is a research project from MIT called KidsRoom. This tracking algorithm uses background subtraction to generate a blob image to identify different object in the KidsRoom. The tracking system is noteworthy, but still needs further development. The system is perfect at detecting positions and movements of individuals, but when two or more people with similar appearances cross paths or come close to each other, it cannot identify one individual from another(s).

The Multiple Robot Network, on the other hand, is less error prone, less costly, and less dangerous. The technology can be further extended to a very large scale if used outdoor. It can be used to track firemen or police officers to know their whereabouts in dangerous situation. As in the case of a disaster, it would be very effective.