A method for automatic, decentralized coordination of the movement paths of mobile
robots in order to prevent collisions and to detect and resolve mutual blockings.
According to the method, a robot receives position information from other robots
and establishes a coordinating connection with another robot if the position falls
below a minimum allowable distance. One of the robots is then chosen as coordinator
and the other robot is chosen as partner. The coordinator initiates an algorithm
for the prevention of collisions, wherein a time sequence diagram is determined
for the motion path segments of the coordinator and the partner. A robot for detecting
robots that are mutually blocking one another in a circuit initiates an algorithm
for detecting blocking if the robot has not been given authorization to execute
its next motion path segment. An algorithm for resolving the blocking is initiated
if robots mutually blocking each other in a circuit are detected by the detecting
robot. The algorithm includes a first step and optionally a second step, whereby
the sequence for the execution of the next motion path segment of the robots is
interchanged during a coordinating connection and the motion paths of one or more
robots mutually blocking each other in a circuit are newly planned.