Automated Vehicle Site Control for Restricted Safety Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling autonomously controlled vehicles on sites do not effectively protect personnel from these vehicles while maintaining operational efficiency, requiring manual intervention for safety mode changes.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that allows operators to set automated vehicles in restricted or non-restricted modes based on requests and instructions, reducing the need for continuous human oversight and enhancing safety by automatically managing vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is required for safety mode changes, then personnel safety is protected, but operational efficiency decreases and workload on site operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated vehicle system performs self-service by automatically transitioning between restricted and non-restricted modes based on detected personnel presence, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention for safety mode changes while maintaining personnel protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detection devices that monitor personnel presence to automatically adjust the vehicle's operational mode, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to environmental conditions without requiring continuous manual oversight
2Reliability
If continuous human oversight is maintained, then safety control is ensured, but operational flexibility decreases and personnel cannot take breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously manages safety monitoring and mode transitions without requiring continuous human oversight, enabling operators to take breaks while the system independently maintains safety control through automatic detection and response
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary safety assessments and automatic mode transitions before operations proceed, allowing human operators to disengage from continuous monitoring while the system proactively manages safety conditions
3Productivity
If automated vehicles operate without restrictions, then productivity increases, but risk to personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational restrictions of automated vehicles based on real-time detection of personnel presence, allowing full productivity when areas are clear while automatically imposing restrictions when personnel are detected, thus balancing throughput and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies spatially differentiated control by restricting automated vehicle operations only in specific zones where personnel are detected, while allowing unrestricted operation in other areas, thereby maintaining productivity overall while protecting personnel locally
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system including processing circuitry being configured to be in a site operating mode for controlling the operation on a site including at least one automated vehicle and a site operator is provided. The processing circuitry is configured, in a site operating mode, to receive, from a requester, a restriction request, set the at least one automated vehicle in the restricted mode based on said restriction request, receive, from the requester, a resume request, in response to the resume request receive, from the site operator, a resume instruction, and set the at least one automated vehicle in a non-restricted mode at least based on the resume instruction.