Work management system

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to promote unmanned operation of work machines by remote operation while taking into consideration the issue of communication infrastructure between the work site and a remote operation room. This work management system comprises: a main remote operation device that is installed at a work site and that remotely operates a work machine from the work site; an auxiliary remote operation device that is installed at a remote location and that remotely operates, from the remote location, the work machine remotely operated by the main remote operation device; and a management device that, on the basis of production plans and use cases that can be handled by each of the main remote operation device and the auxiliary remote operation device, performs switching processing for switching between operating the work machine in accordance with remote operation from the main remote operation device and operating the work machine in accordance with remote operation from the auxiliary remote operation device.

Description

Work management system

[0001] The present invention relates to a work management system.

[0002] At work sites such as disaster sites or mine sites, there are places where people cannot enter, such as gas accumulations. Therefore, it is desirable to exclude people from the work site and reduce the risk of harm to people. In addition, in mining development, there are workers with a "Fly in - Fly out" work pattern where workers fly from urban areas to work sites far from urban areas, work for a certain period, and then return to urban areas to take vacations. Since Fly in - Fly out places a heavy mental burden on workers, it is desirable to reduce the Fly in - Fly out work pattern. For these reasons, it is desired to unmanned the work machines operating at work sites such as mine sites.

[0003] As a method of unmanning this type of work machine, there are methods such as an operator wirelessly operating the work machine around the work machine (line - of - sight radio control), replacing the work machine with an autonomous work machine, and an operator remotely operating the work machine in a control room at a remote location. In the method where an operator wirelessly operates the work machine around the work machine, since the operator needs to be near the work machine, reducing the risk of harm to the operator or reducing the Fly in - Fly out work pattern is limited. In the method of replacing the work machine with an autonomous work machine, it is not easy to mechanize the cognitive function, judgment function, and control function required for the autonomous work machine to be equivalent to humans, and the applicable use cases are limited. For these reasons, as a method of unmanning the work machine, the method of remotely operating the work machine from a control room at a remote location is promising. As technologies for remotely operating work machines from a control room at a remote location, for example, there are Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a management system that displays the operating status of a work machine performing automatic operation on a display device so that an operator can remotely operate another work machine while the work machine remotely taught to operate by the operator is performing automatic operation.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a work support server that, in order to switch the target of operation of a work machine by a remote control device, displays images that simultaneously capture the positions of the currently operated work machine and the next work machine to be operated, allowing the operator to recognize their relative positional relationship and other factors, thereby supporting the work.

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-070617, Japanese Patent No. 7338514

[0007] The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 require that images captured by cameras installed on the work machine, and images captured by cameras on surrounding monitoring devices installed around the work machine, be displayed on a display device of an operating device installed at a remote location without any abnormalities such as delay, loss, or distortion. When remotely operating a hydraulic excavator, one of the work machines, even for loading operations onto transport vehicles such as dump trucks (typical use cases consisting of excavation, transport, soil discharge, and reaching), several cameras need to be installed, resulting in a large amount of data for the captured images. Furthermore, additional cameras are required to accommodate other use cases (e.g., molding or driving), further increasing the data capacity of the captured images.

[0008] In contrast, the communication infrastructure at the work site requires sufficient bandwidth, constant monitoring of the communication status, and high redundancy to prevent communication interruptions even in the event of a communication anomaly. While it is possible to install such highly redundant communication infrastructure from the work site to nearby areas, it is difficult to install it in remote locations hundreds of kilometers away.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to promote the unmanned operation of work machinery by remote control, while taking into consideration the communication infrastructure issues between the work site and the remote control room.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a work management system for managing a work site in which remotely operated work machines are in operation, comprising: a main remote control device installed at the work site and remotely operating the work machines from the work site; a sub-remote control device installed at a remote location away from the work site and remotely operating the work machines remotely operated by the main remote control device from the remote location; and a management device that acquires a production plan for the work site and performs a switching process to switch whether to operate the work machines according to remote control from the main remote control device or according to remote control from the sub-remote control device, based on the production plan and a plurality of use cases of work using the work machines that the main remote control device and the sub-remote control device can each be responsible for.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to promote the unmanned operation of work machines by remote control while taking into account the communication infrastructure issues between the work site and the remote control room.

[0012] A diagram showing the configuration of the work management system. A diagram showing the main flow and use cases of the work management system. A diagram continuing from Figure 2. A diagram continuing from Figure 3. A diagram showing the work request processing flow and use cases of the work management system. A diagram showing the emergency stop flow and use cases of the work management system. A diagram showing the relationship between mining development actors and the use cases they are responsible for. A diagram showing the use cases that the main remote control device and the sub-remote control device can handle. A diagram explaining the operator evaluation results. A diagram showing the definition of the skill levels shown in Figure 9.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in each embodiment are similar in each embodiment unless otherwise specified, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0014] [Configuration of the work management system] The configuration of the work management system 10 of this embodiment will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the work management system 10.

[0015] The work management system 10 is a system that manages the work site 100 where remotely operated work machines 105 to 108 are in operation. In this embodiment, an example of applying the work management system 10 to mining development will be described. That is, in this embodiment, the work site 100 will be described as a mining site, and the work machines 105 to 108 will be described as hydraulic excavators.

[0016] Furthermore, the scope of the mining development described in this embodiment is as follows: Process: Load and Haul (excavation by hydraulic excavator and loading onto transport vehicle) Method: Open-cut mining - Single bench excavator Specifications: Backhoe front

[0017] The work management system 10 comprises a site control room 200 installed at the work site 100, a remote control room 300 installed at a remote location away from the work site 100, and a management device 1 that comprehensively manages one or more work sites 100.

[0018] Management device 1 is configured, for example, by a cloud server. A field management device 201, configured by a local server, is installed in the field control room 200. Management device 1 and field management device 201 are connected via a communication network 2, such as the Internet.

[0019] The field control room 200 is equipped with a main remote control device 205 capable of handling use cases related to all operations performed by remotely controlling the work machines 105 to 108. The remote control room 300 is equipped with sub-remote control devices 301 and 302 that are limited to handling use cases related to frequently performed routine operations performed by remotely controlling the work machines 105 to 108.

[0020] The main remote control device 205 is connected to the site management device 201 via the communication infrastructure 3 within the work site 100. The secondary remote control devices 301 and 302 are connected to the management device 1 and the site management device 201 via the communication infrastructure 4 and communication network 2 within the remote control room 300.

[0021] Furthermore, the on-site control room 200 is equipped with an operator monitoring device 206, which consists of surveillance cameras and the like, to monitor operator X of the main remote control device 205. The remote control room 300 is equipped with operator monitoring devices 303 and 304, which consist of surveillance cameras and the like, to monitor operators Y and Z of the secondary remote control devices 301 and 302.

[0022] The work site 100 has multiple pits 101 to 104. Each of the pits 101 to 104 is equipped with work machines 105 to 108 for excavating ore or soil, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "soil, etc.") and transport vehicles 109 to 112 such as dump trucks for loading the excavated soil, etc. Surrounding monitoring devices 113 to 116, consisting of surveillance cameras, etc., are installed to monitor the pits 101 to 104. Communication devices 121 to 124, 125 to 128, and 117 to 120 are installed on the work machines 105 to 108, transport vehicles 109 to 112, and surrounding monitoring devices 113 to 116, respectively. Communication devices 121-124 installed on work machines 105-108, communication devices 125-128 installed on transport vehicles 109-112, and communication devices 117-120 installed on surrounding monitoring devices 113-116 are each wirelessly connected to the communication device 204 in the site control room 200.

[0023] Operators X, Y, and Z are stationed in the on-site control room 200 and the remote control room 300, respectively, to operate the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302. Operators X to Z are equipped with information terminals (tablet PCs or smartphones, etc.) that receive and display tasks, which are production tasks using the work machines 105 to 108, as commanded by the management device 1. Tasks commanded by the management device 1 are transmitted to the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, and may be displayed on the respective displays of the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302.

[0024] Various sensors are installed on the work machines 105 to 108, including cameras and distance sensors (e.g., LiDAR) for recognizing the surroundings, angle sensors for measuring the posture and rotation angle of the front work machine, pressure sensors for measuring the pressure of the hydraulic pump and hydraulic actuators (hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors, etc.), engine speed sensors, and GNSS receivers.

[0025] Furthermore, the work machines 105 to 108 are equipped with remote control devices that control the operation of the work machines 105 to 108 according to operation signals output from the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302. In addition, the work machines 105 to 108 may be equipped with autonomous control devices that autonomously control the operation of the work machines 105 to 108 based on signals output from various sensors installed on the work machines 105 to 108.

[0026] Furthermore, the work machines 105 to 108 are capable of operating in accordance with onboard operations performed by operators riding on the work machines 105 to 108. When at least one remote operation from the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301, 302 and an onboard operation are performed simultaneously, the work machines 105 to 108 will operate in accordance with the onboard operation, taking precedence over these remote operations. When remote operations from the main remote control device 205 and remote operations from the sub-remote control devices 301, 302 are performed simultaneously, the work machines 105 to 108 will operate in accordance with the remote operation from the main remote control device 205, taking precedence over the remote operations from the sub-remote control devices 301, 302.

[0027] Signals output from various sensors installed on the work machines 105-108, as well as operation signals output from the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302, are transmitted and received between the work machines 105-108 and the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302 in near real-time via the communication network 2 and communication infrastructure 3 and 4. Various information, such as signals transmitted and received between these devices, is simultaneously transmitted to and stored in the field management device 201. Furthermore, various information stored in the field management device 201 is transmitted to and stored in the management device 1 after a certain time lag. The time lag depends on the communication quality of the communication network 2 and the data capacity of the information being transmitted.

[0028] Transport vehicles 109-112 are vehicles that operate autonomously using an AHS (Autonomous Haulage System). Transport vehicles 109-112 are managed by an operation management device (not shown). The operation status of transport vehicles 109-112 is monitored by an AHS monitor W using an AHS monitoring device 202. In the event of an emergency, a main emergency stop device 203 and a secondary emergency stop device 305 are installed in the on-site control room 200 and the remote control room 300, respectively, as means to simultaneously stop the operation of the work machines 105-108 and transport vehicles 109-112.

[0029] [Operation and Use Cases of the Work Management System] The operation and use cases of the work management system 10 will be explained using Figures 2 to 10. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main flow and use cases of the work management system 10. Figure 3 is a diagram continuing from Figure 2. Figure 4 is a diagram continuing from Figure 3. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the work request processing flow and use cases of the work management system 10. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the emergency stop flow and use cases of the work management system 10. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between mining development actors and the use cases they are responsible for. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the use cases that the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302 can handle. Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the operator evaluation results. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the definition of the skill level shown in Figure 9. Note that the use cases shown in Figures 2 to 8 are excerpts of the main parts and do not cover all of them.

[0030] First, an overview of the use cases for mining development will be provided. As shown in Figure 7, the actors involved in mining development are the system (management device 1 or site management device 201), shovel operators (including operators who operate the work machines 105-108 from atop, and operators X-Z who remotely operate the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302), maintenance personnel, and dozer operators. Furthermore, the use cases indicate units of work performed at the work site 100, for example, units of work performed by shovel operators using the work machines 105-108. In this embodiment, there are 40 use cases, numbered UC01 to UC40.

[0031] The workflow of the work management system 10 consists of the main workflow shown in Figures 2 to 4, the work request processing workflow shown in Figure 5, and the emergency stop workflow shown in Figure 6. The work request processing workflow shown in Figure 5 and the emergency stop workflow shown in Figure 6 are interrupted at any point in the main workflow in response to requests from the shovel operator or the system (site management device 201).

[0032] In this embodiment, the work machines 105 to 108 (shovel operators) repeatedly perform a routine work cycle while moving along the benches, excavating soil and other materials at their feet on the benches of the pits 101 to 104, transporting the excavated material to the loading platform of transport vehicles 109 to 112, releasing the soil onto the loading platform, and then reaching into the excavation area within the benches. Use cases related to this routine work are described in UC10 in Figure 3 to UC23 in Figure 4.

[0033] Transport vehicles 109 to 112 are positioned empty in the spotting area. Once fully loaded, they move to a designated unloading area, unload the loaded material, and then move back to the designated spotting area, repeating this process.

[0034] In addition to the routine operations such as excavation, transportation, soil discharge, and reaching described above, the work machines 105 to 108 (shovel operators) may perform the following non-routine operations. Non-routine operations include starting the work machines 105 to 108 (UC06 to UC09), cleaning up the spotting area (UC31), collecting soil and other materials (UC33), removing large rocks from the excavation area (UC34), leveling the ground on the bench (UC35), inspecting the surroundings and the machine (UC38), or risk avoidance actions (UC40).

[0035] In this embodiment, the use cases handled by the main remote control device 205 and operator X are set to be different from those handled by the sub-remote control devices 301, 302 and operators Y and Z. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the main remote control device 205 and operator X can handle use cases related to all tasks that the work machines 105 to 108 can perform remotely. The sub-remote control devices 301, 302 and operators Y and Z can handle use cases related to tasks that are performed frequently (i.e., routine tasks) among the tasks that the work machines 105 to 108 can perform remotely by the main remote control device 205.

[0036] Next, the main flow of the work management system 10 will be explained. We will use an example of an excavator operator who works at a mining site 100, located several hundred kilometers away from an urban area, on a fly-in / fly-out basis. The excavator operator works at the work site 100 for one week (seven consecutive days), returns to the urban area, and takes a one-week vacation. The daily work system consists of two shifts: a day shift (6:00-18:00) and a night shift (18:00-6:00 the next day).

[0037] The management device 1 acquires the overall production plan and its progress for one or more work sites 100, the environment of the work sites 100 (communication quality, bench shape, weather, etc.), the status of work machines 105-108, the status of transport vehicles 109-112, the specifications of the main remote control device 205, the specifications of the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, and at least one of the operator's evaluation results, as well as use cases. For example, the management device 1 acquires this information through input from the administrator, through communication with an external source, or by acquiring and calculating related information. Based on this acquired information, the management device 1 creates a work plan on a weekly basis (UC01). At a minimum, the production plan, the specifications of the main remote control device 205, and the specifications of the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302 (use cases that each control device can handle) need to be input to create the work plan. Furthermore, the control device 1 creates a work plan that, for example, allows for a switching process to either operate the work machines 105 to 108 according to remote control from the main remote control device 205, or operate the work machines 105 to 108 according to remote control from the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, in order to execute the production plan.

[0038] For example, the operator evaluation results, as shown in Figure 9, are based on an evaluation of the operator based on their skill level, a score indicating the operator's productivity (productivity score), and a score indicating the cost incurred by the operator (cost score). The productivity score is calculated by multiplying each evaluation item, such as payload (amount loaded onto transport vehicles 109-112), cycle time (time required per work cycle), and non-routine work time, by a predetermined coefficient (α1-α3, etc.) and accumulating the results, as shown in Figure 9. The cost score is also calculated by accumulating each evaluation item, as shown in Figure 9. The skill level is defined according to the use cases that the operator can handle, as shown in Figure 10. Skill level A shown in Figure 10 is a higher level than skill level B. Operators with skill level A are skilled operators and are assigned to the main remote control device 205. Operators with skill level B are not skilled operators and are assigned to the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302.

[0039] The management device 1 assigns tasks to the operators, work machines 105-108, the main remote control device 205, and the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, respectively, according to the created work plan, and commands each of them to perform the tasks (UC02). A task is a unit of work performed at the work site 100, consisting of a combination of use cases. For example, a task is a unit of work consisting of a combination of use cases performed by each of the work machines 105-108 via remote control, and is a detailed representation of the work plan. The work plan and tasks are also transmitted to the site management device 201, and the progress management of the tasks is taken over by the site management device 201. Note that the progress management of tasks may be performed not only by the site management device 201 but also by the management device 1.

[0040] By having the management device 1 create a work plan based on the information described above, the work management system 10 can maximize production volume and minimize costs for the entire work site 100. In particular, since the management device 1 creates a work plan that minimizes the cost-to-production ratio of the work site 100, the work management system 10 can reliably improve the productivity of the work site 100. Furthermore, by having the management device 1 create a work plan based on operator evaluation results including skill level, productivity score, and cost score, the work management system 10 can create a work plan that assigns operators to the right positions, thus reliably improving the productivity of the work site 100.

[0041] Since the conditions at the work site 100 change moment by moment, it is necessary to acquire various information in real time in order to revise the work plan in a timely manner and update tasks in a timely manner according to the conditions at the work site 100. If this is not possible, problems will arise such as delays in task updates or limitations on the use cases that can be addressed. In the work management system 10, a site management device 201 that can acquire various information in real time is installed in the site control room 200 at the work site 100, so these problems can be avoided.

[0042] Operators X to Z move to the field control room 200 and the remote control room 300, respectively, and activate the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302, log in to the system (management device 1 and field management device 201) and authenticate (UC04). Next, operators X to Z begin accessing their assigned work machines 105 to 108 (UC05). Next, operators X to Z perform a surrounding area inspection and machine inspection, confirm safety, and then turn on the keys and start the engines of the work machines 105 to 108 (UC06 to UC09). In this use case UC06 to UC09, the entities capable of performing the required surrounding area inspection and machine inspection may be limited, and in this embodiment, only the main remote control device 205 and operator X may be responsible. Operators Y and Z repeatedly perform the routine operations of excavation, transportation, soil discharge, and reaching of the work machines 105 to 108 using the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302 (UC10 to UC23). Operators Y and Z, after completing the assigned task, inspect the equipment, stop the work machines 105-108 and the auxiliary remote control devices 301 and 302, and submit a work completion report (UC24-UC29).

[0043] Next, the work request processing flow, which is the flow for non-routine work in the work management system 10, will be explained. When operator X determines that the following non-routine work is necessary, he requests the system (site management device 201) to perform the work (UC36). This non-routine work includes cleaning up the spotting area (UC31), collecting soil and sand (UC33), removing large rocks from the excavation area (UC34), or leveling the ground on the bench (UC35). When the system (site management device 201) receives the work request, it switches from the main flow to the work request processing flow and the flow continues. Based on the progress of the task or the work request from operator X, the site management device 201 reviews the work plan (UC37), updates the task, and issues a command for the updated task (UC02). Operator X performs the work for the updated task and reports the completion of the work (UC29).

[0044] To address the use cases of the aforementioned non-steady operations (UC31, UC33, UC34, UC35), more information such as information on the surrounding terrain, information on the shapes of obstacles, surrounding images, and bird's-eye view images is required compared to steady operations. To perform these non-steady operations remotely, it is necessary to acquire this information and images in real time. Therefore, the responsibility for these use cases of non-steady operations is limited to the main remote operation device 205.

[0045] Next, the emergency stop flow of the work management system 10 will be described. The system (on-site management device 201) determines the presence or absence of abnormalities based on information from the surrounding monitoring devices 113 to 116, or operator monitoring devices 206, 303, 304, etc., and issues and displays an alarm according to the content of the abnormality (UC39). Operator X performs surrounding inspections and machine inspections based on the abnormality alarm to confirm the situation (UC38). Operator X performs a risk avoidance operation according to the situation (UC40), and stops the engine, conducts a work completion inspection, and reports the work completion (UC25 to UC29).

[0046] As described above, the work management system 10 of the present embodiment is a system that manages the work site 100 where the remotely operated work machines 105 to 108 operate. The work management system 10 includes a main remote operation device 205 installed at the work site 100 for remotely operating the work machines 105 to 108 from the work site 100, and sub-remote operation devices 301 and 302 installed at a remote location away from the work site 100 for remotely operating the work machines 105 to 108 remotely from the remote location by the main remote operation device 205. The work management system 10 also includes a management device 1 that acquires the production plan of the work site 100, and based on the production plan and a plurality of use cases of work using the work machines 105 to 108 that the main remote operation device 205 and the sub-remote operation devices 301 and 302 can each handle, performs a switching process to switch whether to operate the work machines 105 to 108 according to the remote operation from the main remote operation device 205 or to operate the work machines 105 to 108 according to the remote operation from the sub-remote operation devices 301 and 302.

[0047] As a result, in the work management system 10, for example, the main remote operation device 205 responsible for the use cases related to all the work performed by remote operation of the work machines 105 to 108 is installed at the work site 100, so that the problem of the communication infrastructure between the work site 100 and the remote control room 300 can be solved. The work management system 10, for example, is limited to the use cases related to the steady work that is frequently performed by remote operation of the work machines 105 to 108, and the sub-remote operation devices 301 and 302 are installed in the remote control room 300 at a remote location. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange many operators at the work site 100, and the safety of the operators can be improved and the burden can be reduced. Thus, the work management system 10 can promote the unmanned operation of the work machines 105 to 108 by remote operation.

[0048] Furthermore, in the work management system 10 of the present embodiment, the use cases handled by the main remote operation device 205 are the use cases related to all the work that the work machines 105 to 108 can perform by remote operation, and the use cases handled by the sub-remote operation devices 301 and 302 are the use cases related to the work that is performed frequently among the work that the work machines 105 to 108 can perform by remote operation of the main remote operation device 205.

[0049] As a result, the work management system 10 can handle the use cases related to all the work performed by remote operation of the work machines 105 to 108 at the work site 1 hundred, and only the minimum necessary operators need to be arranged at the work site 100. Therefore, the work management system 10 can surely solve the problem of the communication infrastructure between the work site 100 and the remote control room 300, and can surely improve the safety of the operators and reduce the burden. Thus, the work management system 10 can surely promote the unmanned operation of the work machines 105 to 108 by remote operation.

[0050] Furthermore, in the work management system 10 of this embodiment, the management device 1 performs the aforementioned switching process based on the production plan and use case of the work site 100, as well as the progress of the production plan, the environment of the work site 100, the status of the work machines 105 to 108, the specifications of the main remote control device 205, the specifications of the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, and at least one of the operator evaluation results and use case.

[0051] As a result, the work management system 10 can handle all of the aforementioned use cases while operating the work machines 105-108 in a reasonable manner without requiring surplus equipment or operators. Therefore, the work management system 10 can maximize production volume and minimize costs at the work site 100, thereby further promoting the unmanned operation of the work machines 105-108 via remote control.

[0052] Furthermore, in the work management system 10 of this embodiment, the management device 1 creates a work plan that minimizes the ratio of cost to production volume at the work site 100.

[0053] As a result, the work management system 10 can reliably improve the productivity of the work site 100, and thus further promote the unmanned operation of the work machines 105 to 108 via remote control.

[0054] Furthermore, in the work management system 10 of this embodiment, the operator evaluation result is the result of evaluating the operator based on the operator's skill level, a score indicating the operator's productivity, and a score indicating the cost incurred by the operator.

[0055] As a result, the work management system 10 can assign operators to the right positions and operate the work machines 105 to 108, thereby reliably improving the productivity of the work site 100 and further promoting the unmanned operation of the work machines 105 to 108 through remote control.

[0056] Furthermore, the work management system 10 of this embodiment further comprises a site management device 201 installed at the work site 100 for managing the progress of the production plan. The site management device 201 performs the aforementioned switching process based on the progress of the production plan or requests from operators. The site management device 201 also reviews the work plan, updates the tasks, and issues commands for the updated tasks.

[0057] As a result, the work management system 10 can operate the work machines 105-108 in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the work site 100, and can also revise the work plan in a timely manner and update and issue commands for tasks in a timely manner. Therefore, the work management system 10 can suppress delays in the work of the work machines 105-108 caused by delays in task updates or limitations on the use cases that can be addressed. Thus, the work management system 10 can further reliably improve the productivity of the work site 100, and can further promote the unmanned operation of the work machines 105-108 by remote control.

[0058] Furthermore, in the work management system 10 of this embodiment, the work machines 105 to 108 are capable of operating in accordance with boarding operations performed by operators who are mounted on the work machines 105 to 108. Also, if at least one remote operation from the main remote control device 205 and the sub-remote control devices 301, 302 and a boarding operation are performed simultaneously, the management device 1 will operate the work machines 105 to 108 in accordance with the boarding operation, taking priority over the remote operations from the main remote control device 205. Also, if remote operations from the main remote control device 205 and remote operations from the sub-remote control devices 301, 302 are performed simultaneously, the management device 1 will operate the work machines 105 to 108 in accordance with the remote operation from the main remote control device 205, taking priority over the remote operations from the sub-remote control devices 301, 302.

[0059] As a result, the work management system 10 can override the operation signals of the onboard operation with those of the remote control devices 205, 301, and 302, so that even if a situation arises that is difficult to handle by remote control, it can deal with the situation appropriately. For example, the work management system 10 can override the operation signals of the main remote control device 205, which is operated by a skilled operator, with those of the sub-remote control devices 301 and 302, which are operated by an unskilled operator, so that even if an error occurs in remote control, it can deal with the situation appropriately. Therefore, the work management system 10 can improve the safety and productivity of the work site 100, and further promote the unmanned operation of the work machines 105 to 108 by remote control.

[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present invention can be modified by adding components of one embodiment to components of another embodiment, replacing components of one embodiment with components of another embodiment, or deleting parts of components of one embodiment.

[0061] 1...Management device, 2...Communication network, 3,4...Communication infrastructure, 10...Work management system, 100...Work site, 101-104...Pit, 105-108...Work machinery, 109-112...Transport vehicles, 113-116...Surroundings monitoring device, 117-120, 121-124, 125-128, 204...Communication device, 200...Site control room, 201...Site management device, 202...AHS monitoring device, 203...Main emergency stop device, 205...Main remote control device, 206, 303, 304...Operator monitoring device, 300...Remote control room, 301, 302...Sub-remote control device, 305...Sub-emergency stop device, W...AHS monitor, X-Z...Operator

Claims

1. A work management system for managing a work site in which remotely operated work machinery is in operation, comprising: a main remote control device installed at the work site for remotely operating the work machinery from the work site; a sub-remote control device installed at a remote location away from the work site for remotely operating the work machinery remotely operated by the main remote control device from the remote location; and a management device that acquires a production plan for the work site and performs a switching process to switch whether to operate the work machinery according to remote control from the main remote control device or according to remote control from the sub-remote control device, based on the production plan and a plurality of use cases of work using the work machinery that the main remote control device and the sub-remote control device can each be responsible for.

2. The work management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the use cases handled by the main remote control device are all use cases relating to all tasks that the work machine can perform by remote control, and the use cases handled by the sub-remote control device are use cases relating to tasks that are performed frequently among the tasks that the work machine can perform by remote control of the main remote control device.

3. The work management system according to claim 2, characterized in that the management device performs the switching process based on at least one of the following, in addition to the production plan and the use case: the progress of the production plan, the environment of the work site, the status of the work machine, the specifications of the main remote control device, the specifications of the sub remote control device, and the operator's evaluation results.

4. The work management system according to claim 3, further comprising a site management device installed at the work site for managing the progress of the production plan, wherein the site management device performs the switching process based on the progress of the production plan or a request from the operator.

5. The work management system according to claim 3, characterized in that the evaluation result of the operator is the result of evaluating the operator based on the operator's skill level, a score indicating the operator's productivity, and a score indicating the cost incurred by the operator.

6. The work management system according to claim 1, wherein the work machine is operable in accordance with onboard operations performed by an operator on board the work machine, and the management device, when at least one remote operation from the main remote control device and the sub-remote control device and the onboard operation are performed simultaneously, operates the work machine in accordance with the onboard operation with priority over the remote operation, and when a remote operation from the main remote control device and a remote operation from the sub-remote control device are performed simultaneously, operates the work machine in accordance with the remote operation from the main remote control device with priority over the remote operation from the sub-remote control device.

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