Robot Assistance Dispatch System Using Sensor-Based Worker Ranking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing human assistance to robots in large-scale operations becomes complex and cumbersome due to the need for efficient dispatching of workers with varying skill sets and locations, especially when robots operate autonomously for extended periods and require maintenance or malfunction assistance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for ranking workers based on criteria such as skill level and location relative to the robot, using sensor data to cross-reference worker criteria with assistance criteria, and automatically notifying the top-ranked worker for assistance requests, with adjustable weight values and default rankings to optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple robots are managed individually or as a group without automated dispatching, then human workers can provide assistance, but the complexity of managing human assistance increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously monitors its own sensor data, identifies triggering items indicating assistance needs, and initiates the dispatch process without human intervention. The system automatically cross-references worker criteria with assistance criteria, generates rankings, and notifies appropriate workers, allowing the robot to self-manage the assistance request process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data from the robot and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust worker rankings and notifications. The triggering application processes sensor data in real-time, and the ranking application adjusts worker rankings based on current robot needs, worker locations, and skill matches, creating a closed-loop feedback system that optimizes assistance dispatch.
2Loss of time
If worker dispatching is manual without automated ranking, then simpler systems can be used, but time is lost in matching workers to robot needs and worker location optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes worker criteria profiles including skills, availability, and location information before assistance is needed. When a robot requires assistance, the ranking application immediately cross-references these pre-prepared worker profiles with the robot's current needs, eliminating the time required for manual worker assessment and matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes worker ranking parameters based on real-time conditions. The ranking application adjusts worker scores by modifying weights for location proximity, skill relevance, and availability status, automatically optimizing the matching process without manual intervention and significantly reducing dispatch time.
3Measurement precision
If worker criteria are not weighted by importance, then simpler matching can be used, but the precision of matching workers to specific robot needs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different weight values to different worker criteria items based on their specific relevance to the robot's needs. Instead of uniform matching, the ranking application assigns higher weights to critical criteria such as specific technical skills for malfunction types or proximity for time-sensitive issues, creating locally optimized matching decisions that precisely address each robot's unique requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and techniques are disclosed for selecting and dispatching a worker to assist a robot. The system may include a computer comprising a processor and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory may include lists of worker criteria items for a plurality of workers and a list of assistance criteria items for a robot. The system may include a triggering application executable by the processor for identifying triggering data corresponding to a triggering item within sensor data from the robot. A ranking application may also be stored on the computer and may be executed in response to an identification of triggering data corresponding to the triggering item. The ranking application may be operable to cross-reference the worker criteria items on each of the first lists with the assistance criteria items on the second list and to generate a ranking of the plurality of workers based on the cross-referencing.