AMR Route Planning With Just-in-Time Destination Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material flow automation systems require extensive rule-based logic for AMRs, leading to complexity, increased deployment times, system errors, and user comprehension issues, as they prohibit uncertainty in destination or path planning, necessitating all information to be known before task initiation.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows for just-in-time destination definition and route planning, enabling AMRs to start moving with partial information, which is resolved during execution through input from various sources, simplifying configuration and user interaction by parsing and prioritizing delayed inputs and providing instructions dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional material flow automation systems require all destination and path information to be known before task initiation, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and deployment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, pre-planned route definition into a dynamic process where the route is constructed incrementally as the AMR moves. The system allows destination and path information to be defined in real-time during task execution rather than requiring complete prior specification, thereby reducing initial complexity while maintaining reliability through continuous updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining only the essential components of the task (such as origin and general destination) before movement begins, while leaving detailed path planning to be resolved during execution. This allows the system to start tasks with partial information rather than requiring complete route specifications in advance.
2Manufacturing precision
If all destination and path information must be known before task initiation, then route planning accuracy is improved, but loss of time in deployment and task initiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic route construction where the AMR begins movement with partially defined routes and receives additional navigation instructions during task execution. This dynamic approach reduces deployment time by eliminating the need for complete pre-planning while maintaining route planning accuracy through real-time updates and corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMR performs self-service by autonomously navigating using partially defined routes and independently integrating real-time navigation instructions received during movement. This self-service capability allows the system to operate efficiently with minimal pre-planning while maintaining accurate route following through autonomous decision-making during execution.
3Extent of automation
If extensive rule-based logic is implemented for AMR operation, then automation extent is improved, but ease of operation and user comprehension deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex rule-based logic from the user interface and operational workflow, separating the high-level task definition from the detailed navigation execution. Users only need to specify essential task parameters while the system handles complex route planning and navigation decisions automatically, thereby maintaining high automation while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between user commands and AMR execution that automatically translates simple user inputs into complex navigation instructions. This intermediary handles the complexity of route planning and rule interpretation, allowing users to operate the system with minimal knowledge of underlying complexities while maintaining full automation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for a material flow automation process. In some embodiments, the system and/or method comprise: an input device that provides instructions of an instruction set regarding at least one destination of interest to at least one processor; a navigation system that navigates a vehicle in response to the instructions; and a controller that initiates a material flow task to be executed by the vehicle, wherein the controller receives at least one instruction of the instruction set during the execution of the material flow task by the vehicle.