Autonomy Approval Interface With Proximity Verification for Work Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous work machines require intuitive and safe interfaces for operators to transition control from human supervision to autonomous operation, ensuring safety and efficiency in industries like agriculture and construction.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device application provides a user interface that displays job aspects, requires user acceptance, verifies proximity to the machine, and initiates motion only after successful system checks, including perimeter verification and machine-verified indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomy approval process includes multiple verification steps (proximity verification, system checks), then safety and reliability are improved, but the complexity of the interface and operation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomy approval process is segmented into distinct verification steps: proximity verification (requiring user to walk around the machine), system checks (performed by the controller), and final approval. This segmentation allows each safety-critical function to be verified independently while presenting a structured, manageable interface to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions before autonomous operation begins: the controller executes system checks to verify sensor functionality and machine readiness, and the user must complete proximity verification by physically circumnavigating the machine. These preliminary actions ensure safety is established before autonomy engages.
2Reliability
If the system requires user proximity verification by moving around the machine, then safety is improved, but the time required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Proximity verification is performed as a preliminary action before autonomous operation begins. The user must physically move around the machine to confirm their location and awareness of the environment, ensuring safety is established upfront before time-sensitive autonomous tasks commence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the autonomy approval function provides detailed system check information, then operator trust is improved, but the information display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface provides feedback to the operator during the autonomy approval process, displaying system check status and verification results. This feedback builds operator trust by making the system's decision-making transparent while maintaining a clean interface that presents information in a structured, easy-to-understand format.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures safe and efficient transition to autonomous operation by confirming user proximity and system readiness, enhancing operator trust and reducing potential damage or errors.
Implementation Method 1
user proximity within the pre-determined distance is detected using electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device includes a processor and memory, coupled to the processor, which memory contains instructions that when executed cause the processor to provide an autonomy management application. The autonomy management application includes an autonomy approval function. The autonomy approval function provides a user interface configured to display at least one aspect of an autonomy job to a user and receive user acceptance of the autonomy job. The autonomy approval function is configured to instruct the user to move within a pre-determined distance from an autonomous work machine that will execute the autonomy job and provide a machine-verified indication of user proximity within the pre-determined distance. The autonomy approval function includes a begin mission user interface element displayable after verification that a user has moved within the pre-determined distance of the autonomous work machine, which begin mission user interface element, when selected, causes the autonomy approval function to initiate motion. A computer-implemented method is also provided.