Robotic Assistant Task Delegation Across Nearby Computing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated assistants are geographically limited and inefficient in multi-assistant environments, often wasting resources and time due to static device placement and incompatibilities between devices from different software providers.
Innovation Solution
A robotic computing device that interacts with nearby devices to delegate tasks and gather information, using techniques similar to human-computer interactions, optimizing task delegation based on efficiency and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a static assistant-enabled device is used to fulfill user requests, then the device can perform operations within its fixed location, but the device becomes geographically limited and cannot effectively serve users who move to different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static assistant devices to a dynamic robotic device that can physically move throughout the environment. The robotic device receives requests from users at any location, navigates to the relevant position, and fulfills the request by interacting with local resources or other devices, thereby providing both ease of operation and geographic flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic device acts as an intermediary between the user and the static assistant-enabled devices. It receives user requests, determines the appropriate location and device to fulfill the request, and coordinates the fulfillment by rendering commands to nearby devices or performing actions directly, thus bridging the gap between user mobility and device fixedness.
2Productivity
If a robotic computing device attempts to fulfill all requests independently, then it maintains full control over task execution, but it wastes time and resources when not optimally positioned or powered
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device serves as a coordinating intermediary that assesses its own capabilities and environmental resources. When it determines that another device is better suited to fulfill a request (based on location, power state, or capability), it delegates the task to that device, thereby improving overall productivity and reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic device autonomously evaluates its own operational state and makes intelligent decisions about task delegation. It monitors its position, power levels, and capability to fulfill requests, and independently determines when to execute tasks itself versus when to delegate to other devices, optimizing resource utilization without requiring constant human intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple assistant devices from different software providers operate independently, then each device maintains its own functionality, but compatibility issues arise and resources are wasted when less suitable devices execute operations
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device implements a universal interface layer that can communicate with and coordinate multiple assistant devices from different software providers. It translates between different device protocols and capabilities, enabling seamless collaboration across heterogeneous devices while selecting the most suitable device for each specific task based on current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the robotic device continuously monitors the operational state, capabilities, and performance of nearby assistant devices. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts its task delegation decisions, selecting devices that are currently best-suited to fulfill requests, thereby improving compatibility and reducing resource waste across multi-provider environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations set forth herein relate to a robotic computing device that can seek additional information from other nearby device(s) for fulfilling a request and/or delegating certain operations to the other nearby device(s). Delegating certain operations can involve the robotic computing device maneuvering to a location of a nearby device and soliciting the nearby device for assistance by providing an input from the robotic computing device to the nearby device. In some instances, the input can include an audible rendering of an invocation phrase and a command phrase for invoking an automated assistant that is accessible via the nearby device. A determination of whether to delegate certain operations or seek additional information can be based on a variety of factors such as predicted efficiency and estimated accuracy of performance for performing certain operations.