Robot Intelligence Kernel Dynamic Autonomy Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robot architectures lack a generic framework for dynamic autonomy and portable robot intelligence, limiting their ability to make decisions independently and adapt to various platforms and behaviors, requiring continuous human guidance and skilled operators.

Innovation Solution

A robot intelligence kernel with a multi-level architecture and dynamic autonomy structure that includes a robot behavior level, cognitive level, and teleoperation/autonomous modes, enabling seamless portability across platforms and varying interaction levels, and blending adaptive interactions between decision functions and behaviors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a generic robot architecture framework is implemented, then portability across different robot platforms is improved, but device complexity increases due to the multi-level architecture and dynamic autonomy structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability across robot platformsVSAvoidarchitecture structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot architecture is divided into distinct hierarchical levels (robot behavior level, cognitive level, dynamic autonomy structure) that can be independently developed, configured, and ported across different platforms. Each level encapsulates specific functionalities that can be reused without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The architecture framework provides universal interfaces and abstractions that enable the same cognitive conduct modules and decision functions to operate across diverse robot platforms with different sensors, actuators, and hardware configurations, achieving platform-independent robot intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If dynamic autonomy structure is implemented, then robot initiative and decision-making capability are improved, but operator control and supervision become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot initiativeVSAvoidoperator control

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic autonomy structure enables flexible adjustment of autonomy levels, allowing the system to dynamically transition between fully autonomous operation and operator-controlled modes based on task requirements, environmental conditions, and operational context, thereby managing the complexity of operator control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cognitive level acts as an intermediary between sensor inputs/actuator commands and the operator, providing high-level decision functions that filter, prioritize, and process information before presenting it to the operator for supervision or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If cognitive level with decision functions is added, then robot intelligence and autonomous decision-making are improved, but computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous decision-makingVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Decision functions and cognitive conduct modules are pre-configured with predefined behaviors, rules, and algorithms that enable rapid autonomous decision-making without requiring complex real-time computation for every decision, reducing processing time while maintaining intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multi-level architecture is implemented, then robot behavior portability is improved, but software development and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebehavior portabilityVSAvoidsoftware development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-level architecture segments robot software into modular components (robot behaviors, cognitive conduct modules, decision functions) that can be independently developed, tested, and ported, reducing the overall complexity of software development through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7620477B2Robotic intelligence kernel

Publication Date: 2009.11.17 BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

A robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller. The system controller executes a robot intelligence kernel (RIK) that includes a multi-level architecture and a dynamic autonomy structure. The multi-level architecture includes a robot behavior level for defining robot behaviors, that incorporate robot attributes and a cognitive level for defining conduct modules that blend an adaptive interaction between predefined decision functions and the robot behaviors. The dynamic autonomy structure is configured for modifying a transaction capacity between an operator intervention and a robot initiative and may include multiple levels with at least a teleoperation mode configured to maximize the operator intervention and minimize the robot initiative and an autonomous mode configured to minimize the operator intervention and maximize the robot initiative. Within the RIK at least the cognitive level includes the dynamic autonomy structure.