Generic Robot Trajectory Control for Multi-Robot Workcells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated manufacturing systems face challenges in efficiently controlling and coordinating multiple robotic devices from different manufacturers within a shared physical workcell, as existing solutions lack a standardized format for programming and controlling diverse robotic systems, leading to inefficiencies and complexities in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a generic robot trajectory format that encapsulates parameters for various robotic devices, allowing for the control of different types of industrial robots within a physical workcell, using a shared hardware environment and enabling programming within a single software environment, with features like conditional statements and parallel execution support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robotic devices from different manufacturers are controlled within a shared physical workcell, then the manufacturing capability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and programming difficulty increase due to lack of standardized control formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal robot code format that can control multiple types of robotic devices from different manufacturers through a single standardized interface. The system uses a common trajectory format with parameterized commands that can be adapted to various robot types, eliminating the need for separate programming for each manufacturer's specific robot model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of a standardized robot code format and translation mechanisms that mediate between the control system and diverse robotic devices. This intermediary translates high-level generic commands into manufacturer-specific instructions, simplifying the control architecture and reducing programming complexity.
2Productivity
If manufacturer-specific robot code formats are used, then the ease of operation for single-robot systems is maintained, but the productivity and efficiency of multi-robot coordination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized robot code format provides universal commands that work across multiple robot types, enabling efficient coordination of multiple robots through a single programming interface. The system maintains ease of operation by using intuitive, parameterized commands that can be applied consistently across different robot models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple manufacturer-specific control interfaces into a single unified robot code format. By combining the control mechanisms for different robot types into one standardized system, the patent improves manufacturing efficiency while maintaining programming simplicity through consistent command structures.
3Ease of operation
If standardized robot code format is implemented, then the ease of operation and programming simplicity are improved, but the device complexity increases due to format design and translation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameterized command templates and standardized trajectory formats that can be copied and adapted across different robot types. Instead of creating entirely new programming interfaces for each robot, the system copies and translates commands from a generic format into manufacturer-specific instructions, reducing the apparent complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation layer acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of format conversion automatically. While the translation system itself has complexity, this complexity is hidden from the user, who only interacts with the simple standardized format. The intermediary manages the conversion process transparently.
4Productivity
If conditional statements and parallel execution are supported, then the productivity and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates conditional statements and parallel execution capabilities into the standardized robot code format, allowing complex manufacturing processes to be programmed in advance with built-in decision logic and concurrent operations. This preliminary structuring of control logic improves manufacturing efficiency by enabling sophisticated automation without increasing runtime complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example systems and methods may allow for use of a generic robot trajectory format to control a robotic process within a workcell. One example method includes receiving a digital representation of at least one digital robot acior, including at least one robot definition corresponding to the at least one digital robot actor and at least one sequence of robot operations for the at least one digital robot actor, determining a mapping between the at least one digital robot acior and at least one corresponding physical robot actor within a physical workcell, generating at least one robot-language-specific sequence of executable instructions for the at least one physical robot actor, and transmitting the at least one robot-language specific sequence of executable instructions to the at least one physical robot actor to execute in order to perform the at least sequence of robot operations within the physical workcell.