Centralized Robot Support Using Shared Error Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robots often encounter errors in complex tasks that require human intervention, leading to costly and time-consuming resolutions, as they may struggle with confusing or unexpected inputs and need human feedback, which can delay error resolution.
Innovation Solution
A centralized support system that allows robots to receive assistance from remote human technicians and other robots, using evidence collection and collaboration to diagnose and resolve errors efficiently, through virtual or augmented reality visualizations and chat interactions, enabling real-time logistical support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots operate autonomously without human intervention, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates when errors occur requiring human feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized support center as an intermediary between robots and human technicians. This mediator receives error data from robots, coordinates remote technician assistance, and manages the error resolution process, allowing robots to maintain autonomous operation while ensuring reliable error handling through human intervention when needed.
2Reliability
If human technicians are dispatched to field locations for error resolution, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables remote technicians to view copies of error data, sensor readings, and robot status information through the centralized support center. This allows technicians to diagnose and resolve errors remotely without physically traveling to the robot's location, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining effective error resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical technician dispatch with an information-based remote support system. Instead of technicians traveling to field locations, the system transmits error data electronically and provides remote guidance, substituting physical presence with digital communication and remote assistance.
3Reliability
If robots collect and transmit error evidence, then reliability of error diagnosis is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the centralized support center to handle multiple functions: receiving error data from various robot types, storing evidence, coordinating remote technicians, and providing resolution guidance. This universal platform serves all robots in the fleet through a single system, reducing individual robot complexity while maintaining comprehensive error diagnosis capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for providing logistical support for robots. In one example, the method includes receiving, at a centralized support center that is in communication with a plurality of robots, a query from a first robot of the plurality of robots that has been deployed to perform a task, wherein the query indicates an error encountered by the first robot and evidence of the error collected by the first robot, formulating, at the centralized support center, a proposed solution to resolve the error, wherein the formulating comprises soliciting an analysis of the evidence by a party other than the first robot, and delivering, by the centralized support center, the proposed solution to the first robot.