Multi-Robot Cleaning System with Dynamic Urgent Area Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling multiple cleaning robots in large public areas are inefficient, particularly in managing cleaning schedules and responding to urgent cleaning needs, as they lack effective coordination and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with multiple moving robots that share cleaning progress information and can autonomously or user-directedly reassign resources to prioritize urgent areas, using a control method that includes designating urgent cleaning areas and reallocating robots based on proximity, battery state, and cleaning progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple cleaning robots operate independently in allocated cleaning areas, then each robot can perform its assigned cleaning task, but the overall cleaning efficiency cannot be optimized and urgent cleaning needs cannot be responded to
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between multiple cleaning robots, receiving cleaning progress information from each robot and distributing reassignment commands. This centralized mediation enables coordinated control and resource allocation without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication protocols between robots, thus improving overall cleaning efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where cleaning robots continuously report their progress and status to the server, which then optimizes task allocation based on real-time information. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic adjustment of cleaning assignments to respond to urgent needs while maintaining simple individual robot operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning robots follow fixed scheduled operations, then operational simplicity is maintained, but responsiveness to urgent cleaning situations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning task allocation system transitions from static fixed schedules to dynamic real-time reassignment based on urgent cleaning needs. The server receives progress information and dynamically adjusts robot assignments, enabling rapid response to contamination events while maintaining simple robot execution of assigned tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes communication channels and protocols between robots and the server, so that when urgent cleaning is needed, reassignment can occur rapidly without setup delays. Robots are pre-configured to send progress information and receive commands, enabling immediate response to urgent situations.
3Area of stationary object
If cleaning area is divided and assigned to specific robots, then task allocation is simple, but cleaning coverage and coordination in large spaces are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The large cleaning space is segmented into multiple allocated areas, each assigned to specific cleaning robots. The server coordinates between these segments by receiving progress information from each robot and distributing reassignment commands, enabling comprehensive coverage of large spaces while maintaining simple individual robot operations within their assigned segments.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a robot system including a plurality of moving robots each assigned a cleaning area, the method including receiving a command designating an urgent cleaning area, at least one moving robot of the plurality of moving robots moving to the urgent cleaning area according to a predetermined criterion based on the command, performing a cleaning operation by the moving robot having moved to the urgent cleaning area and a moving robot assigned the urgent cleaning area as a cleaning area, and returning to an assigned cleaning area by the moving robot having moved to the urgent cleaning area when the cleaning operation is completed.