Server-Based Robot Traffic Control at Collision Risk Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to prevent collisions among multiple robots driving in a space, especially when their paths and directions diverge, and are limited by network environment and intersection shape.
Innovation Solution
A robot driving control system where a server predicts potential collisions by calculating expected separation distances and controls robots to stop or change paths before reaching critical zones, using a topological map to manage traffic independently of intersection shape or network stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple robots drive autonomously in a shared space to perform respective tasks, then productivity and task completion efficiency are improved, but collision risk and driving safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between multiple robots, receiving position information from each robot and calculating expected separation distances. The server determines collision risk centrally and transmits control commands to individual robots, enabling safe multi-robot operation without requiring complex inter-robot communication or coordination protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates expected separation distances between robots before collisions can occur. By predicting potential collision points and determining collision risk in advance, the server can issue preemptive control commands to robots, allowing them to adjust their trajectories before entering hazardous zones
2Extent of automation
If robots use sensors to detect obstacles and autonomously navigate, then driving autonomy and responsiveness are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor-based obstacle detection systems with an information-processing approach. Instead of relying on robots to detect obstacles using sensors, the server receives position information and calculates collision risk computationally, substituting physical sensing with digital information processing
Solution Approach 2:
The server serves as an intermediary that centralizes the computational burden of collision detection and avoidance. Rather than each robot requiring sophisticated sensor suites and autonomous navigation algorithms, the server performs these functions centrally and provides guidance to simpler robot systems
3Reliability
If existing collision prevention methods are used for orthogonal intersections, then collision avoidance at standard intersections is improved, but adaptability to non-orthogonal intersections and varying network environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates expected separation distances based on robot positions, velocities, and trajectories rather than assuming fixed intersection geometries. This parameter-based approach allows the collision risk determination to adapt to any intersection shape or configuration without requiring specialized algorithms for each case
Solution Approach 2:
The server-based collision risk determination system provides a universal solution that handles various intersection types (orthogonal, non-orthogonal, T-intersections, etc.) and different network environments through a single unified algorithm, eliminating the need for multiple specialized collision avoidance systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot driving control system and a robot control method are disclosed. The robot driving control system, according to the present invention, comprises: a plurality of robots driving within a predetermined space on a map; and a server which recognizes the predetermined space on the map by dividing the space into a plurality of areas, and communicates with the plurality of robots so as to control the driving of a robot which is about to pass a risk area requiring traffic control from among the plurality of areas. Here, the server registers, on the basis of the robot entering within a certain range of the risk area, the entering robot on a list for driving management, determines whether the entering robot satisfies a collisional condition in consideration of the direction of movement of other robots around the risk area, and restricts and controls the driving of the entering robot to drive according to a passing priority determined on the basis of the determination. Accordingly, when a plurality of robots approach a collision risk area, the robots wait and drive in an orderly manner according to the control of the server, thereby significantly reducing situations where an administrator must intervene and organize and preventing accidents in which robots collide and break.