Context-Aware Work Planning for Human-Robot Task Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robots used in public facilities and living spaces require the ability to execute tasks in cooperation with users under various contexts, necessitating a system to determine the appropriate distribution of task steps between robots and users based on context analysis.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a context analysis unit, work plan generation unit, and step determination unit that analyzes user, environment, and robot contexts to determine which entity should execute each step of a task, generating a work plan that optimally assigns tasks to either the user or the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots execute work in factories with fixed task assignments, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to various contexts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task assignment by continuously analyzing context information (user state, environment, robot state) and adjusting the division of labor in real-time. The work plan generation unit dynamically determines which steps the robot should execute and which the user should execute based on current context, rather than using fixed pre-programmed assignments. This enables the system to adapt to various situations while maintaining efficient collaboration.
2Device complexity
If robots operate autonomously without context analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the context analysis unit continuously gather and analyze context information about the user, environment, and robot state before generating work plans. This advance preparation of context data allows the work plan generation unit to make informed decisions about task allocation, improving collaboration smoothness without requiring complex real-time negotiations or adjustments during task execution.
3Device complexity
If task assignment is based on simple rules, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the task assignment process into distinct functional units: context analysis unit for gathering information, work plan generation unit for determining task allocation, and work plan execution unit for carrying out assigned tasks. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its function with relatively simple logic while the integrated system achieves high collaboration efficiency through coordinated operation of these specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus (3) according to an embodiment includes: a context analysis unit (310) that analyzes at least one or more contexts of a user (2), an environment, or a robot (1) based on acquired information; a work plan generation unit (330) that determines, regarding work executed by the user and the robot in cooperation, for each of steps of the work, whether to have the user or the robot execute the step, based on the context, and generates a work plan of the work; and a step determination unit (340) that determines the steps to be executed by the user and the steps to be executed by the robot, based on the work plan.