Micro frontend architecture for multi-robot user interfaces: a systematic approach with design rationale

Abstract

Traditional frontend systems were initially conceived as thin presentation layers within larger monolithic applications. However, as user interaction requirements became more sophisticated, modern frontends started to integrate complex logic and domain-specific business rules. This shift is particularly evident in highly interactive and dynamic applications, such as robotic systems, where frontends must manage more than just user input and output. The resulting large codebases have become increasingly challenging to maintain, driving the need for more robust architectural solutions. This work presents a novel software architectural approach for developing frontends (including graphical user interfaces) in multi-robot systems using micro frontends. The proposed solution was designed through a systematic approach that combines Object-Oriented Modeling and Domain-Driven Design to address key challenges in this domain, leading to a discussion of major decisions such as splitting, composition, communication, routing, performance, and consistency. The architecture was evaluated based on the ISO/IEC 25010 quality model, achieving significant improvements over monolithic systems in performance tests, with higher frame rates and lower latency, as well as enhanced maintainability, reliability, and portability.