Autonomous Vehicle Task Orchestration for Multi-Activity Utility Work
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle technologies lack a comprehensive system to manage tasks beyond traditional transportation, such as collecting orders or refueling, and fail to efficiently utilize vehicle capabilities and provide user interaction for task execution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle task manager system that receives and configures utility capabilities of autonomous vehicles to perform tasks, breaks down tasks into activities, associates activities with appropriate vehicle capabilities, and provides feedback and instructions for task completion, while also detecting misuse and non-compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous vehicles are equipped with multiple utility capabilities to perform diverse tasks, then task versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal task manager system that can handle multiple types of tasks (delivery, refueling, cleaning, etc.) through a single integrated platform. The vehicle is equipped with diverse utility capabilities (cargo management, fuel management, cleaning systems) that can be coordinated by the task manager to perform various tasks, making the vehicle multi-functional without requiring separate specialized systems for each task type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides complex tasks into smaller sub-tasks and activities. The task manager breaks down high-level task definitions into manageable components that can be executed by specific utility capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to handle versatile tasks while maintaining manageable complexity by processing tasks in discrete, organized steps.
2Productivity
If the vehicle performs multiple activities to complete tasks, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic task management system that can adaptively sequence and coordinate multiple activities based on task requirements and vehicle capabilities. The task manager dynamically determines the optimal order and timing of activities, adjusting the execution plan as conditions change. This dynamic coordination enables efficient multi-activity execution without requiring a fixed, overly complex system architecture.
3Reliability
If the task manager validates task completion through utility capabilities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the task manager receives status information from utility capabilities and validates task completion based on this feedback. The system continuously monitors the state of activities and compares them against expected outcomes, providing reliable validation without requiring a separate complex verification system. The feedback loop integrates naturally into the existing task management architecture.
4Ease of operation
If the system provides user interaction and feedback for tasks, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the task manager as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle's utility capabilities. The task manager receives high-level task definitions from users, translates them into specific activities, coordinates execution, and provides feedback to users. This intermediary layer simplifies user interaction by abstracting away the complexity of individual utility capabilities while maintaining ease of operation through natural task-based commands.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing tasks performable by autonomous vehicles includes performing a setup for various utility capabilities of an autonomous vehicle, where the various utility capabilities of the autonomous vehicles perform multiple activities to complete a task. The method also includes receiving programming constructs to support task definitions and configurations of the various utility capabilities of the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes configuring the autonomous vehicle with the multiple activities to complete the task and associating each activity with one or more utility capabilities from the various utility capabilities of the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes instructing the autonomous vehicle to perform the multiple activities to complete the task and validating, via the various utility capabilities of the autonomous vehicle, the completion of the task.