Multi-agent autonomous system for redundant planetary exploration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic reconnaissance systems are limited by the lack of redundancy, spatial constraints, and reliance on human control, which restricts their ability to explore large areas and make autonomous decisions, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of mission failure due to the use of single, expensive, and spatially limited rovers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-agent autonomous system comprising multiple low-cost, expendable, sensor-equipped crafts that can explore vast areas with an overhead command system providing enhanced visibility and path planning, allowing for true autonomy and redundancy, thereby improving safety and mission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sophisticated rover is deployed, then high capability and reasoning are achieved, but redundancy is lost and mission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reconnaissance system into multiple independent low-cost crafts instead of using a single sophisticated rover. Each craft operates autonomously and can be independently controlled, providing redundancy and reducing mission risk while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive, expendable crafts that can be deployed in large numbers. These crafts are designed to be low-cost enough that loss does not catastrophically impact the mission, providing inherent redundancy and allowing for more aggressive autonomous operation without risking a single expensive asset
2Area of stationary object
If a single rover is deployed, then capital cost is reduced, but the explored area is constrained to what one rover can cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exploration mission into multiple parallel crafts, each covering different portions of the operational area. This segmentation allows simultaneous exploration of multiple regions, dramatically increasing the total explored area while keeping individual craft costs low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the capabilities of multiple crafts into a coordinated swarm that collectively explores the operational area. The crafts work together under centralized control, combining their individual coverage areas to achieve comprehensive exploration that would be impossible for a single rover
3Extent of automation
If teleoperation is used for control, then autonomous decision-making is avoided, but the rover is constrained to point-to-point reconnaissance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous control systems that enable crafts to make their own decisions about navigation, obstacle avoidance, and target selection. Each craft is equipped with sensors and processing capabilities that allow it to independently determine its path and investigate features of interest without constant human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback loops where sensor data from the crafts is continuously processed to update navigation decisions and investigate anomalies. The system uses real-time feedback from multiple crafts to dynamically adjust their paths and priorities, enabling intelligent autonomous reconnaissance that adapts to changing conditions
4Ease of operation
If a rover constructs a locally optimal path, then immediate navigation is achieved, but globally optimal path planning is lost due to limited viewing range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the viewing capabilities of multiple crafts to create a composite operational area map that exceeds the viewing range of any single craft. This combined view allows the centralized control system to plan globally optimal paths that consider features and obstacles visible to any craft in the swarm, not just the local view of individual vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a plurality of crafts in an operational area includes providing a command system, a first craft in the operational area coupled to the command system, and a second craft in the operational area coupled to the command system. The method further includes determining a first desired destination and a first trajectory to the first desired destination, sending a first command from the command system to the first craft to move a first distance along the first trajectory, and moving the first craft according to the first command. A second desired destination and a second trajectory to the second desired destination are determined and a second command is sent from the command system to the second craft to move a second distance along the second trajectory.