Multi-UAV Search Control Using Dynamic Area Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for unmanned vehicles cannot achieve continuous search operations, especially when multiple vehicles need to cooperate, as they fail to account for changes in the situation and the position of other vehicles over time within a target area.
Innovation Solution
A control device that includes a search information calculation unit, an area information update unit, and a position control unit to acquire and update information about multiple unmanned vehicles, calculating optimal movement destinations based on elapsed time and environmental changes, ensuring efficient and continuous search operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing control systems generate a plan for one behavior and control a robot based on the generated plan, then the robot can execute a specific task, but the system cannot control the robot according to a fluctuation in a situation and thus cannot achieve continuous search behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically updates the area information holding unit with current position data of multiple unmanned vehicles and fluctuation information, allowing the search plan to adapt continuously to changing situations rather than executing a static pre-generated plan
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously acquiring current position information of unmanned vehicles and fluctuation information, updating the area information based on this feedback, and recalculating search plans to achieve continuous adaptive search behavior
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing techniques assume to control one robot, then the control system is simpler, but the techniques cannot be applied to cooperated search behavior by a plurality of unmanned vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle control scenarios. It universally manages position information and search planning for any number of unmanned vehicles through the same area information holding unit and search plan generation process
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control of multiple unmanned vehicles into a unified framework by consolidating their position information and search plans in a single area information holding unit, managing complexity through integration rather than separate control systems
3Productivity
If an unmanned vehicle cannot be controlled in consideration of another unmanned vehicle and a situation change due to a lapse of time in a target area, then the control system is simpler, but continuous search operation by a plurality of unmanned vehicles cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The control device maintains continuous useful action by constantly updating the area information holding unit with current position information of all unmanned vehicles and fluctuation information, ensuring uninterrupted and coordinated search operations across the target area
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the area information holding unit structure to accommodate multiple vehicles' position data and fluctuation information, enabling continuous coordinated search operations from the outset rather than reacting to conflicts after they arise
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a search information calculation unit, an area information storage unit, an area information update unit, and a location control unit. The search information calculation unit acquires information relating to a plurality of unmanned vehicles that move within a target area in accordance with a set operation, and calculates search information relating to the unmanned vehicles using the acquired information relating to the unmanned vehicles. The area information storage unit stores area information including indicators for searching the target area. The area information update unit updates the area information on the basis of said search information and the time that has elapsed since the last search conducted by the unmanned vehicles. The location control unit which, on the basis of the area information, calculates locations to which the unmanned vehicles should move, and outputs control signals for causing the unmanned vehicles to move to the calculated locations.