Token Communication-Assisted Collaborative Embodied Artificial Intelligence: Concepts, Framework, and Opportunities
How robot teams can share essential information through compressed messages
Multiple robots working together need to exchange observations and decisions quickly, but wireless networks have limited bandwidth. This paper proposes a system where robots communicate through compact "tokens"—compressed packets of information that capture what matters for the task—rather than sending raw sensor data. In tests moving objects cooperatively, this approach cut data transmission by a significant margin while keeping the robots coordinated and performing well even on noisy connections.
Robot teams are moving from labs into factories, warehouses, and rescue operations, where they must coordinate in real time over imperfect wireless networks. Sending raw camera feeds and sensor streams burns bandwidth and power; compressed token-based communication means faster coordination, longer battery life, and reliability in environments where connectivity is spotty. This work offers a practical pathway to make multi-robot systems feasible at scale.