Series: Mathematics Colloquium

Date: Thursday, January 17, 2002

Time: 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Place: 102 McAllister Building

Host: John Roe

Refreshments: 4:00 - 4:30 PM, in 212 McAllister

Speaker: Robert Ghrist, Georgia Tech

Title: An Introduction to Topological Robotics

Abstract: 

For years, engineers and computer scientists working in the field of
robotics have successfully glommed objects from topology -- most
notably configuration spaces -- to solve complex problems efficiently
in industrial and manufacturing settings.  The applications are,
however, limited in scope in part due to the lack of serious
collaboration with topologists and geometers.  This talk will describe
work in progress aimed at adapting topological and geometric tools to
nontraditional settings in robotics.  Specifically, the talk will
discuss new types of configuration spaces arising in the coordination
of mobile agents on a network and for reconfigurable robotic systems.
The talk is explicitly accessible to students with a modest background
in topology (e.g., a first-semester course) and no background in
robotics.