Remote Work Machine Handover Without Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a remote operation of a work machine ends, restarting the engine for a new operator can disrupt the smooth operation of the work machine.
Innovation Solution
A remote operation assistance server that communicates with multiple 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, thereby avoiding unnecessary engine 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 work continuity is impaired when another operator needs to take over
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking before stopping the engine to see if another operator is ready to take over. The server checks the status of other remote operation apparatuses and determines in advance whether the engine should be stopped or kept running, preventing unnecessary interruptions to work continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where the server continuously monitors the status of multiple remote operation apparatuses and operators' intentions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about engine operation status based on real-time information about other operators' availability and work requirements.
2Productivity
If the engine continues running after remote operation ends, then work continuity is maintained for next operator, but energy is wasted when no one is operating
Solution Approach 1:
Before stopping the engine, the system preliminarily checks whether another operator is ready to take over by communicating with other remote operation apparatuses. This preliminary action ensures the engine is only stopped when absolutely necessary, maintaining work continuity when possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated server-mediated communication between operators to determine engine status decisions. Operators' intentions and availability are automatically detected and processed, eliminating manual coordination and enabling efficient, data-driven decisions about engine operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operators can remotely operate the same work machine, then operational flexibility is improved, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a universal coordination platform that handles multiple operators and their intentions through standardized communication protocols. This multi-functional server manages authentication, status monitoring, and decision-making for all operators, simplifying the complexity of multi-operator coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The server serves as an intermediary between multiple operators and the work machine's engine control. Rather than operators directly coordinating with each other or the engine, all communication passes through the server, which mediates decisions about engine operation status based on aggregated information from all operators.
Data Source
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.