Digital Proxy Simulation for Robotic Hardware Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducting field tests for lunar and planetary missions with robotic systems is challenging due to the need for large teams and the constraints of real-world locations, which can be taxing and impose undesirable limitations, especially when simulating environments like those on the moon or planets.
Innovation Solution
A digital proxy simulation system that allows users to switch between physical robotic hardware and a digital simulation, sharing a network interface, enabling seamless transfer of input and output signals, and using Data Distribution Service (DDS) for real-time network communications, which includes sensor, kinematic, dynamic, and environment simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If field tests are conducted with real robotic hardware in remote locations, then realistic mission preparation is achieved, but resource consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital proxy simulation that replicates the robotic hardware's behavior, sensor responses, and environmental interactions. This virtual copy allows teams to conduct realistic field tests without deploying physical hardware to remote locations, thereby maintaining mission preparation realism while eliminating the complexity of coordinating large teams in field conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The digital proxy simulation acts as an intermediary between the control system and the physical environment. It receives control commands and generates sensor data that mimics real hardware behavior, enabling realistic testing scenarios without the need for actual hardware deployment in complex field environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If field tests are conducted in real-world locations, then authentic environmental conditions are simulated, but location constraints and logistical challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The digital proxy replicates environmental interactions and sensor responses that would occur in authentic lunar or planetary conditions. By modeling terrain properties, gravitational effects, and sensor behaviors, the simulation provides environmental authenticity without requiring deployment to remote locations, thereby eliminating logistical challenges while maintaining adaptability to different mission scenarios
3Productivity
If a digital proxy simulation is implemented, then resource consumption and location constraints are reduced, but system complexity and development effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital proxy simulation platform is designed to be universally applicable across different robotic hardware configurations and mission scenarios. By creating a modular simulation framework that can adapt to various robot types and environmental conditions, the system achieves high testing efficiency without requiring separate complex simulations for each scenario, thereby improving productivity while managing system complexity through reusability
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for a digital proxy simulation of robotic hardware. In an implementation, a method may include creating a digital proxy simulation for a robotic hardware wherein the digital simulation and the robotic hardware may share a network interface. a user may be provided with an option to switch between the robotic hardware and the digital proxy simulation. The switch may be executed, upon receiving a user selection, between the robotic hardware and the digital proxy simulation, wherein executing the switch includes transferring input and output signals between the digital proxy simulation and the robotic hardware.