Cooperative Autonomous Machines for Capability-Gap Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous machines often lack the capability to handle a wide variety of materials and objects efficiently, particularly when tasks exceed the capabilities of primary machines, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage or failure during manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that analyzes the object to be manipulated and determines necessary operations, then requests assistance from secondary autonomous machines if the primary machine's capabilities are insufficient, allowing for cooperative operation to achieve the desired purpose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a primary autonomous machine is designed with high capability to handle various objects, then it can perform more operations independently, but the cost and complexity of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the autonomous machine fleet into primary machines with basic capabilities and secondary helper machines with specialized capabilities. Instead of making each machine universally capable, the system segments functionality across multiple specialized machines that cooperate to handle diverse objects and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary autonomous machine is designed with a framework that allows it to cooperate with different types of secondary machines for different operations. The control system can dynamically select and coordinate appropriate helper machines based on the specific task requirements, giving the system overall multi-functionality without requiring each individual machine to be universally capable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the primary autonomous machine requests assistance from secondary machines, then it can perform operations beyond its capability, but the coordination complexity and communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The primary autonomous machine autonomously determines when it needs assistance and automatically requests help from appropriate secondary machines. The system handles the coordination and communication overhead automatically without requiring human intervention, allowing the machines to self-organize and cooperate based on task requirements.
3Reliability
If the primary autonomous machine attempts to manipulate objects beyond its capability, then it may cause damage or failure, but avoiding such attempts reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the object and required operations before manipulation begins. The control system evaluates whether the primary machine has sufficient capability and proactively arranges for secondary helper machines to assist if needed, preventing potential damage or failure before it occurs while maintaining operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented method that includes analyzing an object to be manipulated by a primary autonomous machine, the analyzing including determining one or more operations to be performed to manipulate the object for a desired purpose. The method also includes, based on the analyzing, determining whether the primary autonomous machine has a capability sufficient to perform the one or more operations and realize the desired purpose, based on determining that the capability is not sufficient, requesting assistance from a secondary autonomous machine, and performing the one or more operations by the primary autonomous machine in cooperation with the secondary autonomous machine. Embodiments of the invention are also directed to computer systems and computer program products.