Remote Work Machine Handover Control to Avoid Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
When remote operation of a work machine ends and another operator attempts to start operation through a different remote operation apparatus, the engine often needs to be restarted, disrupting the smooth operation of the work machine.
Innovation Solution
A remote operation assistance server that communicates between different remote operation apparatuses to determine if another operator is available to continue the operation, allowing the engine to remain on if another operator is ready to take over, thus avoiding unnecessary restarts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is stopped when remote operation ends, then energy consumption is reduced, but operational continuity is impaired when another operator needs to take over
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by checking for pending remote operation requests from other operators before stopping the engine. The server examines the queue of remote operation apparatuses that want to connect to the work machine, and only stops the engine if no other operator is waiting to take over, thus preventing unnecessary restarts and maintaining operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the status of remote operation apparatuses and their connection requests. The server receives information from multiple remote operation apparatuses about their operational status and intent to connect, and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about whether to stop or maintain engine operation, optimizing both energy consumption and operational continuity.
2Productivity
If the engine continues running after remote operation ends, then operational continuity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by checking for pending remote operation requests from other operators before stopping the engine. The server examines the queue of remote operation apparatuses that want to connect to the work machine, and only stops the engine if no other operator is waiting to take over, thus preventing unnecessary restarts and maintaining operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the status of remote operation apparatuses and their connection requests. The server receives information from multiple remote operation apparatuses about their operational status and intent to connect, and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about whether to stop or maintain engine operation, optimizing both energy consumption and operational continuity.
3Productivity
If the system checks for other operators before engine shutdown, then operational smoothness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs multiple functions: it manages remote operation connections, monitors operator status, queues connection requests, and controls engine operation. By consolidating these functions in a single centralized system rather than distributing complexity across multiple components, the solution achieves work smoothness without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between remote operation apparatuses and the work machine engine. It receives connection requests from multiple operators, determines whether to maintain or stop engine operation based on the queued requests, and sends appropriate control signals. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling intelligent engine management.
Data Source
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AI summary
When a remote operation of a work machine 40 through one remote operation apparatus 20 as a first remote operation apparatus is stopped by one operator, operation of an engine 460 of the work machine 40 is continued without being stopped if another operator who may possibly continuously remotely operate the same work machine 40 through another remote operation apparatus 20 as a second remote operation apparatus exists. Therefore, the other operator can immediately remotely operate the work machine 40 through the second remote operation apparatus without causing the engine 460 of the work machine 40, which has been an operation target of the first remote operation apparatus so far, to restart and perform warm-up operation.