M+: a scheme for multi-robot cooperation through negotiated task allocation and achievement

We present and discuss a distributed scheme for multi-robot cooperation. It integrates mission planning and task refinement as well as cooperative mechanisms adapted from the contract net protocol framework. We discuss its role and how it can be integrated as a component of a complete robot control system. We also discuss how it handles distributed task allocation and achievement as well as cooperative reaction to contingencies. Finally, we illustrate its use through a simulated system, which allows a number of robots to perform load transfer tasks in a route network environment.