Analysing the reliability of a self-reconfigurable modular robotic system

In this paper, the reliability of a collective robotic system is analysed using two different techniques from the field of reliability engineering. The techniques, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), are used to analyse and compare two variants of a previously developed 'autonomous morphogenesis' controller. The reliability of the controller is discussed and areas where improvements could be made are suggested. The usefulness of FMEA and FTA as aids to the design of fault tolerant collective robotic systems, and the comparative effectiveness of the two approaches, is also discussed.