Robot selection support device

Abstract

A robot selection support device (1) comprises: an input device (2) that receives an input of a task; a memory (3) that stores, in association with each other, identification information of a plurality of robots and feature information including at least the application and the portable weight of each robot; and a processor (4) that extracts a plurality of task elements corresponding to at least the application and the portable weight from the task received by the input device (2) and selects at least one robot capable of executing the task by comparing each task element with the feature information.

Description

Robot selection support device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a robot selection support device.

[0002] A system is known that suggests a robot suitable for a specific task to a user who is selecting a robot to perform the task, based on information about the weight of the task and the work area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2023-109358 A

[0004] When a robot is to perform a specific task, depending on the nature of the task, it may be necessary to use a dedicated robot that can be fitted with optional units, etc. Therefore, a robot suggested based on information about the weight of the work object and the work area, as in the above-mentioned system, may not necessarily be able to perform the task desired by the user. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to more accurately suggest a robot suitable for the user's desired application.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a robot selection support device that includes an input device that accepts task input, a memory that stores identification information of multiple robots and characteristic information including at least the intended use and payload of each of the robots, in association with each other, and a processor that extracts multiple task elements corresponding to at least the intended use and the payload from the task accepted by the input device and compares each of the task elements with the characteristic information to select one or more robots that can perform the task.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a task to be executed by a robot selected using a robot selection support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a robot selection support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating information stored in a memory of the robot selection support device of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the display content of a display device of the robot selection support device of Fig. 2.

[0007] A robot selection support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The robot selection support device 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a computer used when a user selects a robot suitable for executing a task desired by the user from among a plurality of robots with different specifications.

[0008] Before describing the robot selection support device 1 according to this embodiment, an example of a task desired by a user will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the task is a so-called handling operation in which workpieces W transported by a belt conveyor 11 are picked up one by one and moved to a container 12 located a distance L away from the belt conveyor 11. In this case, the workpieces W are metal parts weighing, for example, about 5 kg.

[0009] Next, a robot system 100 for executing the above tasks will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the robot system 100 includes a robot 10, a camera 13, and a control device 14. The robot 10 is, for example, a six-axis articulated robot, and is installed on a floor surface F between a belt conveyor 11 and a container 12. A tool T capable of capturing and releasing a workpiece W is attached to the tip of the arm of the robot 10.

[0010] The camera 13 is installed, for example, above the belt conveyor 11 at a position where a predetermined range of the belt 11a of the belt conveyor 11 is included within the angle of view. The camera 13 also captures images of objects within the angle of view at a cycle corresponding to the transport speed of the workpieces W. That is, the camera 13 sequentially captures images of the workpieces W transported by the belt conveyor 11 and transmits the images acquired by the capture to the control device 14.

[0011] The control device 14 receives the images sent from the camera 13 and processes the received images to obtain information about the position and orientation of the workpieces W contained in the images. Based on the obtained information about the position and orientation of the workpieces W, the control device 14 also transmits an operation command to the robot 10 to move the workpieces W one by one from the belt conveyor 11 to the container 12. In other words, the control device 14 causes the robot 10 to track the workpieces W being transported using a vision function that recognizes the state of the workpieces W being transported based on the images captured by the camera 13.

[0012] Thus, the robot 10 that executes the above tasks must be a robot capable of performing handling operations in accordance with the vision function of the control device 14. The robot 10 must also have a weight capacity large enough to move the workpiece W, i.e., 5 kg or more. Furthermore, the maximum operating radius of the robot 10 must be large enough to reach both the belt conveyor 11 and the container 12 on either side of the robot 10, i.e., L / 2 or more.

[0013] Next, a robot selection support device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the robot selection support device 1 includes an input device 2, at least one memory 3 such as a ROM or a RAM, at least one processor 4 such as a CPU, and a display device 5.

[0014] The input device 2 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, an operation panel, a serial interface such as USB, or a combination of these. The input device 2 accepts task input by the user, for example, input of a text sentence succinctly describing the content of the task to be executed by the robot 10. In this case, the text sentence includes at least information regarding the work content to be executed by the robot 10 and information regarding the weight of an object to be manipulated by the robot 10.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the memory 3 stores identification information I of multiple robots with different specifications and characteristic information C of each robot, each associated with the other. The identification information I is information for identifying each individual robot, such as the name or product number assigned to each robot. The characteristic information C is information related to the specifications or performance of each robot, and in the example of Fig. 3, includes information on the purpose c1, payload c2, and maximum operating radius c3 of each robot. In this case, the memory 3 stores, as the purpose c1, terms indicating tasks that each robot can perform, such as "handling," "welding," and "screw tightening," as well as terms, synonyms, and similar words related or associated with these terms.

[0016] The processor 4 breaks down a text sentence input via the input device 2 into character strings in units such as phrases or words. The processor 4 also extracts, from the broken down multiple character strings, a first character string (task element) related to the work content to be performed by the robot 10 and a second character string (task element) related to the weight of an object to be operated by the robot 10. In this case, the first character string is one of the multiple character strings broken down from the text sentence that matches one of multiple terms stored in the memory 3 as application c1. The second character string is, for example, a numerical value accompanied by a character string representing a unit of weight, such as "g," "kg," or "kilogram."

[0017] Processor 4 also compares the extracted first and second character strings with characteristic information C stored in memory 3. Processor 4 then selects, from the plurality of robots stored in memory 3, a robot associated with a use c1 that matches the first character string and a payload c2 that is greater than the numerical value of the second character string. In other words, processor 4 selects, from the plurality of robots stored in memory 3, one or more robots that are capable of executing the input task.

[0018] The display device 5 is, for example, a monitor device, and displays information about one or more robots selected by the processor 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the identification information I of each robot selected by the processor 4 is displayed in association with the characteristic information C in a list. In this case, only terms indicating tasks that each robot can perform are displayed in the use c1 of the characteristic information C.

[0019] The operation of the robot selection support device 1 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described below, taking as an example a case where a robot 10 is selected to perform a handling task of moving a workpiece W conveyed by a belt conveyor 11 shown in FIG. 1 to a container 12 that is a distance L away.

[0020] First, the user operates the input device 2 to input a text sentence expressing the content of the handling work to be performed by the robot 10. For example, the user inputs a free-word sentence such as "Move a 5 kg workpiece from the belt conveyor to a container."

[0021] Next, processor 4 analyzes the text sentence input by the user, removes auxiliary words such as particles and auxiliary verbs from the input text sentence, and divides the input text sentence into a plurality of independent words (character strings). That is, processor 4 breaks the input text sentence into the character strings "5 kg," "work," "belt conveyor," "container," and "movement."

[0022] The processor 4 then extracts a first character string and a second character string from the multiple character strings resolved from the text sentence. That is, the character string "moving" is extracted as the first character string, and the character string "5 kg" is extracted as the second character string. In this case, the character string "moving" is extracted as the first character string because it matches a term associated with "handling" stored in the memory 3 as use c1.

[0023] The processor 4 then selects all robots stored in the memory 3 that are associated with a use c1 containing the term "movement" extracted from the text and a payload c2 greater than 5 kg. The identification information I and characteristic information C associated with the selected robots are then transmitted to the display device 5.

[0024] Next, the display device 5 displays the identification information I and characteristic information C of one or more robots transmitted from the processor 4. As shown in Fig. 4, when there are multiple robots selected by the processor 4, the display device 5 sorts and displays the selected robots, for example, in ascending order of payload capacity c2. In other words, the robots with payload capacities closer to "5 kg" extracted as the second character string are displayed at the top.

[0025] In this way, by simply inputting a text description of the desired task, the user can easily identify robots with suitable applications and payload capacities for carrying out that task. Furthermore, the user can easily select the robot best suited to carrying out the input task from among one or more robots displayed on the display device 5, taking into consideration the application, payload capacity, and maximum operating radius of each robot.

[0026] In this case, the user only needs to express the desired task content in simple sentences, which has the advantage that detailed information about the task does not need to be entered, making it easier to enter tasks.

[0027] Furthermore, the display device 5 displays multiple robots capable of executing the input task in ascending order of payload capacity. This allows the user to easily understand that the lower the robot displayed, the more leeway it has in payload capacity for the task. In other words, the user can be prevented from selecting a robot with a payload capacity that is over-specified for the input task.

[0028] In this embodiment, the processor 4 extracts the first character string and the second character string from the text sentence input by the user, but in addition to this, it may also extract other character strings (task elements) from the input text sentence.

[0029] For example, if the text sentence entered by the user includes a character string representing the size of the working area required to execute the task, processor 4 may extract that character string. In this case, processor 4 compares the extracted character string representing the size of the working area with the maximum operating radius c3 stored in memory 3. This allows processor 4 to narrow down the one or more robots selected based on application c1 and payload c2 to robots having a maximum operating radius suitable for the entered working area. In other words, it is possible to suggest to the user a robot more suitable for executing the entered task.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the extracted other character strings are character strings indicating the size of the working area. However, the other character strings are not limited to this. For example, if the input text contains character strings expressing the performance required of the robot to perform the task, such as safety, flexibility, operating cost, etc., the processor 4 may extract these character strings. In this case, information regarding the performance of each robot, along with the purpose c1, payload capacity c2, and maximum operating radius c3, is stored in advance in the memory 3.

[0031] This allows the processor 4 to select a robot based on a comparison between the character string indicating the robot's performance extracted from the text sentence and the information about the performance of each robot stored in the memory 3. Therefore, similar to the above, it is possible to suggest to the user a robot that is best suited to executing the input task.

[0032] In this case, the processor 4 may also obtain information regarding the specifications or performance required of the robot that executes the task from sources other than the text sentence input by the user.

[0033] For example, if the input device 2 accepts input of CAD data indicating the robot that will perform the task and the work environment, the processor 4 can obtain information regarding the size of the work area required to perform the task from the CAD data. Alternatively, the processor 4 can obtain information such as the performance required of the robot that will perform the task by having the user additionally input such information. For example, the display device 5 may display a user interface that prompts the user to input information such as the performance required of the robot that will perform the task. In this case, the user can be prompted to input more detailed information required for selecting a robot, making it possible to more accurately suggest a robot suitable for the input task.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processor 4 selects a robot that can execute the input task, but instead, it may select a robot and software option that can execute the input task.

[0035] In this case, information on software options required for each of the multiple uses c1 stored in the memory 3 is stored in advance. This allows the processor 4 to propose a robot capable of executing the input task and the software options required for the robot to execute the task, based on the first character string extracted from the text sentence.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display device 5 sorts and displays the multiple robots selected by the processor 4 in ascending order of payload capacity c2, but the method of displaying the multiple selected robots is not limited to this. For example, the display device 5 may sort and display the multiple robots selected by the processor 4 based on predetermined characteristic information C specified by the user. That is, the display device 5 arranges the multiple selected robots in an order based on the predetermined characteristic information C that the user values. Therefore, when selecting a robot to execute an input task, the user can more easily select a robot that meets the user's desired conditions.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the processor 4 selects a robot capable of executing the task input by the user, but instead, the processor 4 may select a robot system capable of executing the task. In this case, the memory 3 may store information on the facilities or devices required to execute each purpose c1 in association with the purpose c1 of each robot.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible to these embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention or the concept and spirit of the present invention derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these.

[0039] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment and modified examples. (Supplementary Note 1) A robot selection support device comprising: an input device that accepts task input; a memory that stores identification information of a plurality of robots and characteristic information including at least the intended use and payload of each of the robots, in association with each other; and a processor that extracts a plurality of task elements corresponding to at least the intended use and the payload from the task accepted by the input device and selects one or more of the robots capable of executing the task by comparing each of the task elements with the characteristic information. (Supplementary Note 2) The robot selection support device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the characteristic information includes information on a maximum operating radius of each of the robots, and the plurality of task elements includes an element corresponding to the maximum operating radius. (Supplementary Note 3) The robot selection support device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the memory stores information on a plurality of software options corresponding to each of the intended uses, and the processor selects the software option required to execute the task based on comparing the plurality of task elements extracted from the task with the characteristic information. (Supplementary Note 4) The robot selection support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the input device accepts input of a text sentence indicating the content of the task. (Supplementary Note 5) The robot selection support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, comprising a display device that displays the identification information of the one or more robots selected by the processor. (Supplementary Note 6) The robot selection support device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the display device displays the identification information of the one or more robots selected by the processor in an order based on a match rate between any one of the plurality of task elements and the characteristic information. (Supplementary Note 7) The robot selection support device according to Supplementary Note 5 or Supplementary Note 6, wherein the characteristic information includes information other than the use and the payload, and the processor causes the display device to display a user interface screen that prompts a user to input the other information.

[0040] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Robot selection support device 2 Input device 3 Memory 4 Processor 5 Display device 10 Robot C Characteristic information c1 Use c2 Payload capacity c3 Maximum operating radius I Identification information

Claims

1. A robot selection support device comprising: an input device that receives an input of a task; a memory that stores, in association with each other, identification information of a plurality of robots and feature information including at least the use and the portable weight of each of the robots; and a processor that extracts a plurality of task elements corresponding to at least the use and the portable weight from the task received by the input device, and selects one or more of the robots capable of executing the task by collating each of the task elements with the feature information.

2. The robot selection support device according to claim 1, wherein the feature information includes information on the maximum operating radius of each of the robots, and the plurality of task elements include an element corresponding to the maximum operating radius.

3. The robot selection support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the memory stores information on a plurality of software options respectively corresponding to each of the uses, and the processor selects the software options necessary for the execution of the task based on the collation of the plurality of task elements extracted from the task with the feature information.

4. The robot selection support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input device receives an input of a text sentence indicating the content of the task.

5. The robot selection support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a display device that displays the identification information of one or more of the robots selected by the processor.

6. The robot selection support device according to claim 5, wherein the display device displays the identification information of one or more of the robots selected by the processor in an order based on the coincidence rate between any one of the plurality of task elements and the feature information.

7. The robot selection support device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the feature information includes other information in addition to the use and the portable weight, and the processor causes the display device to display a user interface screen that prompts the user to input the other information.

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