Robot Fleet Deadlock Detection Using Resource Zone Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile robot fleets face challenges in detecting deadlock conflicts due to unpredictable dynamic environments and the complexity of systems, where existing solutions are not effectively applicable, leading to frequent occurrences of deadlocks.
Innovation Solution
Designating robot resource zones in a physical environment and monitoring robot states to identify deadlock-relevant states, specifically detecting conflicts when one robot is operated towards a resource zone blocked by another, thereby providing a clear and accurate methodology for deadlock detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If general deadlock prediction methods are applied to autonomous mobile robot fleets, then deadlock prevention can be established in theory, but these methods are not effectively applicable in dynamic environments with unpredictable disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designates robot resource zones in advance and establishes monitoring mechanisms before deadlocks occur. By pre-defining zones and setting up detection systems, the method prepares the framework for deadlock detection without requiring complex real-time predictions, thus adapting well to dynamic environments while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of robot states to identify deadlock-relevant states and provides feedback when potential deadlocks are detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions in real-time, improving both reliability and adaptability by responding to actual system states rather than relying solely on theoretical predictions.
2Measurement precision
If complex monitoring systems are used to accurately detect deadlock conflicts, then detection precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the physical environment into discrete robot resource zones and monitors specific deadlock-relevant states of robots. By segmenting the monitoring task into zone-based detection and state-based identification, the system achieves accurate deadlock detection without requiring complex full-system monitoring, thus improving precision while controlling complexity.
3Measurement precision
If resource zones are designated to physical zones and robot states are monitored to identify deadlock-relevant states, then false positive detections are reduced, but detection time and computational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent focuses monitoring efforts on specific deadlock-relevant states and particular resource zones where deadlocks are most likely to occur, rather than uniformly monitoring all robot states and all zones. This localized approach maintains high detection accuracy by concentrating computational resources on critical areas, thereby reducing overall detection time and computational effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting an occurring deadlock conflict in a robot fleet of autonomous mobile robots. The method comprises the steps of: designating a plurality of robot resource zones to respective physical zones in a physical environment; operating said robot fleet such that autonomous mobile robots of said robot fleet individually and dynamically block different resource zones of said plurality of robot resource zones; monitoring said robot fleet to identify deadlock-relevant robot states associated with at least two mobile robots of said robot fleet, wherein said at least two mobile robots comprises at least a first robot and a second robot; and identifying that said first robot is being operated towards a resource zone of said plurality of robot resource zones blocked by said second robot to detect said occurring deadlock conflict. The invention further relates to a deadlock detection system.