Robot Pheromone Communication Using Vortex Ring Transmission

Unpredictable air movements have proved to be a problem in previous studies investigating robot communication by means of airborne pheromone chemicals. The project described in this paper investigates the use of air vortex rings as a means of carrying pheromone chemicals between transmitting and receiving robots. Sensitivity to chemicals including pheromones released by conspecifics is essential for many aspects of an insect's life. They assist in finding food, locating a mate, avoiding danger and help coordinate the activities of social insects. In the future, autonomous robots will be challenged by many situations similar to those that face insects and other simple creatures. Chemical communication may prove useful for these robots as well. This paper describes the equipment developed for generating and detecting vortex rings. Results of experiments involving location and tracking of a sequence of pheromone vortex rings are also presented.