Robotic Logistics System With Remote Human Verification
Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic logistics systems face inefficiencies due to the inability of autonomous robots to troubleshoot or solve problems on-the-fly, leading to bottlenecks and errors, while human-operated systems are hampered by operator availability and speed, and must account for the dispersed nature of modern supply chains.
Innovation Solution
A robotic logistics system comprising a server communicatively coupled with robots and operator devices, enabling image capture, verification, and navigation, with robots equipped with image capture units and identification readers, and using beacon signals for navigation, allowing for remote human oversight and efficient item retrieval across geographically separated storage environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous robots are used for order retrieval and delivery, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the inability to troubleshoot or solve problems on-the-fly leads to bottlenecks and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising image capture units on robots, a server for processing images, and operator devices for verification. This intermediary human-in-the-loop system allows autonomous robots to maintain high productivity while operators provide on-demand troubleshooting and error detection, resolving the contradiction between automation efficiency and reliable problem-solving.
2Reliability
If human operators control robots, then problem-solving capability is improved, but speed and availability of operators become limiting factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables robots to autonomously navigate, locate items, and capture images without continuous human intervention. Operators only engage when verification is needed, allowing the system to serve itself for routine tasks while human intelligence is applied selectively, thus maintaining high speed with adequate problem-solving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring full human control for every operation, the system applies partial human action only when necessary for verification or problem-solving. This partial engagement of operators maintains productivity while providing reliability where needed, avoiding the bottleneck of continuous human involvement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple warehouses or inventory locations are used to store order items, then adaptability to dispersed supply chain operations is improved, but tracking and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server and communication system serve multiple functions: tracking robot positions across different warehouses, managing item locations, coordinating between multiple robots, and facilitating operator verification. This universal coordination system handles dispersed supply chain operations without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same infrastructure serves multiple purposes across all warehouse locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic logistics system is disclosed. The system includes multiple robots each having an image capture unit and a server communicatively coupled to the multiple robots. The server is configured to transmit a location of a first item to a first robot and the location of a second item to a second robot; track the positions of the first robot and the second robot; transmit a first image of the first item captured by the first robot to an operator device; receive a first verification signal from the operator device in response to the first image; transmit a second image of the second item captured by the second robot to the operator device; and receive a second verification signal from the operator device in response to the second image.