Autonomous Tug Robot Control for Load Pickup and Manual Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tug systems require human operation, which can be time-consuming, inefficient, and physically taxing, and often necessitate skilled operators, leading to high labor and time costs.
Innovation Solution
Development of autonomous tug robots equipped with load-bearing components, sensors, actuators, navigation units, and processors that allow for autonomous navigation and manual operation switching, enabling them to pick up and transport items with reduced human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous navigation systems are implemented in tug robots, then productivity and labor efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to added sensors, processors, and navigation units
Solution Approach 1:
The tug robot autonomously performs navigation and load transport tasks without human intervention. The system uses onboard sensors, processors, and navigation units to independently detect obstacles, plan paths, and execute movement, enabling self-service operation that eliminates the need for human operators and significantly improves labor efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The tug robot is designed with multi-functional capabilities including autonomous navigation, obstacle detection, path planning, and load transport. The integrated system combines sensors, processors, actuators, and communication units into a single versatile platform that can perform multiple tasks, making the increased device complexity worthwhile through enhanced productivity
2Ease of operation
If manual operation mode is retained in autonomous tug robots, then ease of operation is improved for complex scenarios, but the extent of automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tug robot implements a dynamic operation mode system that can switch between autonomous and manual control based on task requirements. The controller adjusts the level of automation in real-time, allowing full autonomous operation for routine tasks and transitioning to manual control when human intervention is needed, providing operational flexibility without permanently reducing automation extent
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes an intermediary control layer that mediates between autonomous navigation and manual operation. This intermediary controller can take over from the autonomous system when needed, allowing smooth transitions between automation levels and enabling human operators to intervene in complex or unpredictable scenarios while maintaining high automation for standard tasks
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for operating autonomous tug robots are disclosed. Robotic tugs disclosed herein are configured to autonomously maneuver to a desired location to pick up and retrieve an item, such as a load or a cart, nest the item within the robot, transport the item, and deliver the item to a desired location.