System and methods for adaptive control of robotic devices

A method for operating a robotic device capable of receiving at least one multi-device primitive command, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring, by a monitoring device, of an operational readiness of the robotic device to complete at least one predetermined task;
• determining, by the monitoring device, a deficiency in the operational readiness of the robotic device;
• and
• executing, by the monitoring device, a contingency task based at least in part on the deficiency.

A method for configuring a plurality of robotic devices capable of receiving at least one multi-device primitive command, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining a first robotic device and a remainder of robotic devices in the plurality of robotic devices;
• conveying configuration data to the first robotic device;
• and
• propagating the configuration data from the first robotic device to at least one of the remainder of robotic devices.

A method for monitoring a plurality of robotic devices capable of receiving at least one multi-device primitive command, the method comprising the steps of:

• equipping each robotic device with at least one of an optical transmitter and an audio transmitter;
• defining at least one of (i) a plurality of optical signals, and (ii) a plurality of audio signals, corresponding at least in part to a state of each robotic device;
• transmitting, by each robotic device, at least one of the optical signal and the audio signal;
• and
• observing a plurality of transmitted signals to ascertain inconsistencies therein.

A system of robotic devices configured to perform at least one task, the system comprising:

• a plurality of robotic devices capable of receiving at least one multi-device primitive command, the plurality comprising a first robotic device and a remainder of robotic devices;
• a control apparatus capable of conveying configuration data to the first robotic device;
• and
• a propagation apparatus capable of conveying the configuration data from the first robotic device to at least one of the remainder of robotic devices;
• wherein each robotic device comprises:
• a sensing apparatus capable of receiving data based at least in part on a location occupied by each robotic device;
• a receiving apparatus capable of receiving data from at least one of the control apparatus and at the least one of the remainder of robotic devices;
• and
• a transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting data to at least one of the control apparatus and at the least one of the remainder of robotic devices.