Autonomous Work Machine Task Allocation Using Feedback Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous work systems, it is challenging to efficiently manage and allocate tasks between autonomous work machines and human workers, particularly in environments like lawn maintenance, where the procedures and methods differ, leading to difficulties in understanding the content of work to be shared and monitoring the behavior of automatic machines, especially as the number of human workers decreases.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous work system comprising a first work machine, multiple second work machines with different functions, a setting device, and a terminal, where the first work machine acquires its state and transmits detection results to the setting device, which discriminates whether additional work is required and selects the appropriate second work machine based on performance, and communicates this information to the terminal and the second work machine for task allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an autonomous work machine performs main work, then productivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to understand the content of work to be shared and monitor the behavior of automatic machines
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous work machine transmits detection result information about its work state to the setting device, which then provides feedback by transmitting additional work information back to the autonomous machine or terminal. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that work content information is preserved and communicated even as automation increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting device acts as an intermediary between the autonomous work machine and the terminal or operator. It receives detection result information from the autonomous machine, processes it to determine additional work requirements, and transmits appropriate work information back, thereby bridging the information gap created by automation.
2Productivity
If the number of workers decreases with automation, then productivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to perform work while monitoring the behavior of automatic machines
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous work machine autonomously transmits its own detection result information to the setting device without requiring human monitoring. The system serves itself by automatically reporting work state, progress, and completion status, eliminating the need for human operators to continuously monitor machine behavior while maintaining operational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting device receives automated feedback from the autonomous work machine in the form of detection result information, enabling remote monitoring and decision-making about additional work requirements without requiring direct human observation of machine behavior.
3Productivity
If additional work machines are introduced to complete remaining tasks, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The setting device serves multiple functions: it stores work schedule information, receives detection result information from autonomous machines, determines additional work requirements, selects appropriate second work machines based on performance matching, and transmits work information. This multi-functional design consolidates system complexity into a single coordinating device rather than distributing it across multiple complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting device pre-stores work schedule information and performance information for multiple second work machines before additional work is needed. When detection result information indicates additional work is required, the setting device can immediately select and allocate the most appropriate second work machine based on pre-stored performance data, avoiding the need for real-time complex decision-making or additional device configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous work system includes a first work machine, a plurality of second work machines having different functions, a setting device that stores work schedule information indicating work schedule content, performance of the first work machine, and performance of the plurality of second work machines, and a terminal. The first work machine acquires a state of work performed by its own device and transmits detection result information indicating the acquired state of work to the setting device. The setting device discriminates whether additional work is required based on the detection result information and the work schedule information, and in a case where the additional work is required, selects the second work machine, and transmits additional work information including work content for the second work machine and information relating to the second work machine to at least one of the terminal and the second work machine.