Autonomous Multi-Robot Exploration for Space Missions: Challenges and Innovations

Exploring extraterrestrial environments with multi-robot teams requires innovative solutions to address significant challenges in autonomy, coordination, and communication. In space missions, the physical and environmental constraints mean that robots must be robust, self-sufficient, and capable of handling complex scenarios autonomously. Communication delays and interruptions necessitate autonomous decision-making, especially as teams grow in size, demanding efficient collaboration without constant human oversight. This talk will outline the development of a multi-robot autonomy framework that incorporates real-time SLAM for map merging, facilitating a cohesive understanding of large, unknown terrains. The planning framework is designed to operate on multiple levels—mission, global, and local—to ensure coordinated and efficient task execution. Additionally, the robots establish an ad-hoc communication mesh, enabling connectivity in the absence of existing infrastructure. Through this layered approach, we address the unique demands of space missions, aiming to enhance resilience, adaptability, and collective efficiency in exploration operations.

Vivek Shankar Varadharajan is a postdoctoral researcher at Polytechnique Montreal, where he specializes in multi-robot autonomy for space missions. Leading a team at the MIST Lab, he develops cutting-edge solutions for autonomous robotic systems in extreme environments, addressing complex challenges in planning, coordination, and communication for large-scale multi-robot systems. His research integrates real-time SLAM, multi-level planning, and ad-hoc communication networks, enabling robust, self-sufficient robotic teams in extraterrestrial terrains. Varadharajan earned his Ph.D. in robotics from Polytechnique Montréal in 2022 and holds a master’s degree in Automation and Robotics from the Technical University of Dortmund. A full-stack robotics developer, he brings extensive experience in equipping robotic platforms with SLAM algorithms, navigation, and robotic behaviors. His research interests span multi-robot systems, swarm robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and distributed robotics. He has received multiple awards in technical competitions, hackathons, and poster presentations. Additionally, as a team member of CoStar, he participated in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge alongside NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Vivek has supervised numerous interns and graduate students, contributing significantly to their research.