Systems and methods for assisting a robotic apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robots often encounter situations where they become stuck or experience errors due to external or internal issues, leading to potential damage and sub-optimal behavior, especially in unmonitored environments, and lack effective procedures to request assistance from operators.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows robots to detect errors and request assistance through sensors and communication units, enabling operators to remotely monitor and control the robot, providing instructions or physical assistance to resolve issues such as navigation obstacles, software crashes, or mechanical failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If robots operate autonomously with little to no direct operator control, then productivity and extent of automation are improved, but reliability deteriorates because robots can get stuck and have errors without operator assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the robot autonomously detects errors and send assist requests to operators. The system monitors robot status through sensors, identifies when assistance is needed, and communicates this information to operators via user interface devices. This feedback loop enables autonomous operation while maintaining reliability by ensuring operator involvement when problems arise.
2Device complexity
If robots work in controlled environments with little connectivity and monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs because operators do not know the needs of the robots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication units and user interface devices as intermediaries between the robot and operator. These components transmit information about robot status, errors, and assist requests to operators, ensuring that operators remain informed about robot needs even in environments with limited connectivity. The intermediary devices bridge the information gap without requiring constant complex communication infrastructure.
3Productivity
If robots follow procedures for recovery, then productivity is maintained, but device complexity increases and operators' ability to assist is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of recovery procedures from the robot's autonomous operation. Instead of embedding complex recovery logic within the robot, the system sends assist requests to operators who handle the recovery processes externally. This approach maintains productivity by keeping the robot operational while reducing device complexity by removing complex recovery procedures from the robot's internal systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods for assisting a robotic apparatus are disclosed. In some exemplary implementations, a robot can encounter situations where the robot cannot proceed and/or does not know with a high degree of certainty it can proceed. Accordingly, the robot can determine that it has encountered an error and/or assist event. In some exemplary implementations, the robot can receive assistance from an operator and/or attempt to resolve the issue itself. In some cases, the robot can be configured to delay actions in order to allow resolution of the error and/or assist event.