In swarm robotic systems, energy management is a crucial challenge—especially when replacing traditional batteries with fast-charging capacitors. In this thesis, you will work with custom-built robots

These robots are powered by capacitors instead of batteries, offering unique opportunities for rapid charge/discharge cycles and physical energy transfer between agents.

You will:

- Set up and test a brand new robot platforms

- Explore control methods via Bluetooth and direct programming

- Develop a demonstration scenario where one robot docks with another to replenish energy

- Implement a task (e.g. object transport, coordination) that the robots perform after energy exchange

- Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the energy-sharing strategy

What You’ll Learn:

- Hardware setup and troubleshooting of mobile robots

- Bluetooth communication and embedded programming

- Concepts of decentralized energy sharing in robotic systems

- Planning and executing real-world robot experiments

Who We're Looking For:

- Students with an interest in robotics, embedded systems, or energy systems

- Basic programming experience (Python, C/C++, or similar)

- Hands-on attitude and willingness to work with experimental hardware

Publications

• Liu, Mengyao, Lowie Deferme, Tom Van Eyck, Fan Yang, Sam Michiels, Alexandre Abadie, Said Alvarado-Marin et al.: CapBot: Enabling Battery-Free Swarm Robotics.