A Review of Multi-Robot Collaborative Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

Abstract

Collaborative Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (C-SLAM), commonly known as multi-robot SLAM, is a prefatory technology that allows multiple robots to efficiently traverse large and intricate areas. This is possible due to the merging of maps and the recognition of shared spaces. Despite its many benefits, multi-robot systems encounter various challenges, such as communication barriers, co-localization issues, and joint optimization problems. This paper reviews the sensors and back-end optimization methods used for SLAM. Then, it summarizes existing collaborative SLAM frameworks and some novel solutions. Finally, it discusses trends and promising research directions for collaborative SLAM.