Intersection Convoy Control for Higher AMR Throughput
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in shared warehouse environments face challenges in navigating intersections without collisions or deadlocks, as existing systems often restrict multiple AMRs from passing through the same intersection simultaneously, leading to reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a processor to manage access to intersections based on the travel direction and path alignment of AMRs, allowing multiple AMRs to pass through if they are traveling in the same direction and not reversing, thereby optimizing traffic flow and increasing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple AMRs are allowed to pass through the same intersection simultaneously, then throughput is improved, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different access rules to different spatial locations within the intersection based on path alignment. AMRs traveling on aligned paths (same direction, non-reversing) are granted simultaneous access, while AMRs on conflicting paths receive exclusive access. This localized differentiation of access quality resolves the contradiction by allowing multiple AMRs only in spatial-temporal contexts where collision risk is eliminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The intersection access system dynamically adjusts from static exclusive access to dynamic conditional concurrent access. The processor continuously evaluates real-time path alignment, travel direction, and reversal status of AMRs to determine whether to grant exclusive or concurrent access. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maximize throughput when safe and maintain reliability when necessary.
2Reliability
If exclusive access is granted to each AMR at the intersection, then collision risk is reduced, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous material flow through the intersection by allowing multiple AMRs to traverse simultaneously when their paths are aligned. Instead of interrupting flow with sequential exclusive access, the processor enables continuous concurrent movement of AMRs traveling in the same direction on non-reversing paths, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability through path-based access control.
3Productivity
If path network analysis is implemented to conditionally allow convoying, then throughput is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
AMRs autonomously determine their own access eligibility by evaluating their path alignment, travel direction, and reversal status against the criteria established by the processor. Each AMR effectively serves itself by understanding when it can safely convoy with others, reducing the need for complex centralized control while still achieving improved throughput through conditional concurrent access.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided that enable improved or optimized traffic flow through intersections with conditional convoying based on path network analysis. In some embodiments, the system and/or method comprise: an autonomous first agent traveling along a first path through an intersection; an autonomous second agent traveling along a second path; and at least one processor configured to selectively grant or deny the second agent access to the intersection based, at least in part, on the first agent's travel relative to the intersection.