Robot Self-Maintenance Control for Autonomous Corrective Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack an efficient system for the automated operation and maintenance of robot systems, particularly in ensuring robots can self-evaluate, identify deficiencies, and execute or request corrective actions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable robots to self-evaluate their condition, identify corrective plans, and execute them if configured to do so, or request assistance from a robot controller if not configured to perform the corrective plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots are equipped with self-evaluation and self-repair capabilities, then robot utilization and operational efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system performs self-evaluation by automatically detecting its own operational condition and identifying deficiencies. The system then executes corrective actions autonomously when configured to do so, or requests assistance from a robot controller, enabling the system to serve and maintain itself without constant external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors robot condition through self-evaluation and uses this feedback to determine when corrective actions are needed. The feedback loop includes detecting deficiencies, evaluating corrective plans, executing repairs, and requesting assistance when necessary, creating a closed-loop control system that improves robot utilization.
2Loss of time
If robots automatically execute corrective actions, then maintenance time and operational downtime are reduced, but the risk of errors and system failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system pre-configures corrective actions and stores multiple corrective plans for different potential deficiencies. By preparing corrective measures in advance and having them ready for automatic execution, the system reduces maintenance time when actual failures occur while maintaining reliability through pre-planned, validated correction procedures.
3Reliability
If robots can request assistance from controllers, then system reliability is improved, but communication overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot controller serves as an intermediary between the autonomous robot system and external assistance resources. When the robot detects a deficiency it cannot correct autonomously, it communicates the specific deficiency and requested corrective action to the controller, which then coordinates appropriate assistance, reducing communication overhead by being selective about when assistance is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a robot of a group of robots, a condition of the robot to obtain a determined result. A corrective plan is identified responsive to the determined result indicating a deficiency and a determination is made as to whether the robot is configured to perform the corrective plan. The corrective plan is executed responsive to a determination that the robot is configured to perform the corrective plan. Alternatively, assistance of a robot controller is requested responsive to the determining indicating the robot is not configured to perform the corrective plan. The robot controller is requested to initiate performance of the corrective plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.