We present the methodology, algorithms, system design, and experiments addressing the self-assembly of large teams of autonomous robotic boats into floating platforms. Identical self-propelled robotic boats autonomously dock together and form connected structures with controllable variable stiffness. These structures can self-reconfigure into arbitrary shapes limited only by the number of rectangular elements assembled in brick-like patterns. An complexity algorithm automatically generates assembly plans which maximize opportunities for parallelism while constructing operator-specified target configurations with components. The system further features an complexity algorithm for the concurrent assignment and planning of trajectories from free robots to the growing structure. Such peer-to-peer assembly among modular robots compares favorably to a single active element assembling passive components in terms of both construction rate and potential robustness through redundancy. We describe hardware and software techniques to facilitate reliable docking of elements in the presence of estimation and actuation errors, and we consider how these local variable stiffness connections may be used to control the structural properties of the larger assembly. Assembly experiments validate these ideas in a fleet of 0.5 m long modular robotic boats with onboard thrusters, active connectors, and embedded computers.Note to Practitioners-This work addresses the deployment of large scale floating structures to accelerate humanitarian missions or disaster relief by assembling together many self-propelled ISO shipping containers equipped with actuators and sensors. Thousands of modules would be needed to form temporary bridges, harbors, or air strips in a full-scale deployment; we give efficient solutions to the ensuing large-scale assembly planning and multiboat routing problems. This work will be of interest to those considering assembly planning with many identical pieces. Our 1:12 scale experiments serve as a proof of concept system and a case study in the design of practical self-assembling components. The docking and maneuverability design elements will be of interest to those

This article reviews the current state of the art in the development of modular reconfigurable robot (MRR) systems and suggests promising future research directions. A wide variety of MRR systems have been presented to date, and these robots promise to be versatile, robust, and low cost compared with other conventional robot systems. MRR systems thus have the potential to outperform traditional systems with a fixed morphology when carrying out tasks that require a high level of flexibility. We begin by introducing the taxonomy of MRRs based on their hardware architecture. We then examine recent progress in the hardware and the software technologies for MRRs, along with remaining technical issues. We conclude with a discussion of open challenges and future research directions.

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