Robot Assistance Control via Remote Operator Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot control systems lack the ability to autonomously determine the need for assistance and select appropriate remote operators to complete automated tasks based on environmental conditions, leading to inefficiencies and potential work interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A robot control system that determines the necessity of assistance by analyzing environment information, selects a suitable remote operator from stored data, transmits environment information, receives operation instructions, and controls the robot to complete tasks, utilizing edge and collaboration controllers to manage work models and operator selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robot operates autonomously based on work program, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates when unexpected environmental conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously determines whether it needs assistance by evaluating its own state and environmental information, then automatically selects and contacts appropriate remote operators. This self-service mechanism allows the robot to maintain high productivity through autonomous operation while ensuring reliability by independently seeking human assistance when needed, without requiring constant human supervision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental information and robot state, feeds this information back to the determination unit, which then decides whether remote assistance is needed. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliability by seeking assistance when environmental factors indicate potential work completion issues, while preserving productivity through autonomous decision-making.
2Reliability
If remote operator is selected based on comprehensive operator data, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Operator data including skills, availability, and performance metrics is pre-stored in the system before actual work execution. When the robot needs assistance, the determination unit quickly matches current environmental conditions with pre-stored operator profiles to select the most suitable operator. This preliminary preparation improves selection accuracy without adding complexity during critical work execution, as the matching logic simply queries pre-organized data.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator selection function is segmented into independent modules: data storage unit for operator profiles, determination unit for matching logic, and communication unit for contact. This segmentation allows the complex selection process to be managed through simple, modular components that can be independently maintained and updated, reducing overall system complexity while enabling reliable operator matching based on comprehensive criteria.
3Reliability
If robot stops for direct operation guidance, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to work interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Remote operators serve as intermediaries between the autonomous robot and human supervision. The robot continues operating autonomously while remote operators provide real-time guidance through communication networks when needed. This intermediary approach maintains productivity by avoiding physical interruption of robot operation, while improving reliability by providing expert guidance for complex or unexpected tasks through the communication channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot control system includes circuitry configured to: determine a necessity of assisting a robot to complete an automated work, based on environment information of the robot; select a remote operator from candidate remote operators based on stored operator data in response to determining that it is necessary to assist the robot to complete the automated work; transmit the environment information to the selected remote operator via a communication network; receive an operation instruction based on the environment information from the selected remote operator via the communication network; and control the robot to complete the automated work based on the operation instruction.