A framework for Internet-based interaction of humans, robots, and responsive environments using agent technology

In this paper, a systematic framework for Internet-based interaction of humans, robots, and environments is proposed by using agent technology. The framework is validated by proposing the concept of slave agents, a virtual directory facilitator (VDF) to control the slave agents, and a responsive multiagent environment. It creates a robot control system in which humans, robots, and environments can interact without much prior knowledge. Finally, a number of experiments have been conducted successfully by adopting JadeLeap middleware and Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) standard under the environment composed of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a home service robot-intelligent, sweeping security assistant companion (ISSAC), and a video camera network. Experimental results show that the proposed framework increases the availability of whole system, decreases the time for Internet connection of robots and user devices such as PDAs, and provides the responsiveness of environments.