Robotic Work Tool Coordination for Multi-Area Task Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic work tool systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple tasks and areas with improved control, data privacy, and flexibility in operation, especially in uneven and debris-filled environments, and lack flexibility in adapting to different work areas without relearning.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a server, user device, and robotic work tools that define work area extent and features, receive user requirements, select appropriate tools based on capabilities, generate operating instructions, and transmit them while ensuring data privacy through anonymous data processing, and adapt operations to environmental conditions and debris sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robotic work tool is designed to operate in uneven and debris-filled environments, then its operational capability in such environments is improved, but its control complexity and data privacy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capability in uneven and debris-filled environmentsVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a server component that handles complex path planning and task management, and a robotic work tool component that executes simplified instructions. This segmentation allows the robot to operate in complex environments without requiring complex onboard control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary between the user and the robotic work tool, processing user requirements and translating them into operating instructions. This intermediary handles the control complexity centrally, allowing the robot itself to remain relatively simple while still operating in challenging environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple robotic work tools are selected and coordinated based on capabilities matching, then task execution efficiency is improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server provides universal coordination capabilities that can manage any number of robotic work tools with different capabilities. By centralizing the matching and coordination logic in the server, the system can efficiently manage multiple tools without each tool needing complex coordination hardware or software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the server receives information about tool capabilities and work area characteristics, then adjusts task allocation and path planning accordingly. This feedback loop enables efficient coordination of multiple tools while keeping individual tool complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system processes user requirements and generates operating instructions centrally, then operational flexibility and adaptability are improved, but data transmission and communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary processing of user requirements and generates complete operating instructions before transmission to the robotic work tools. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary information is packaged efficiently, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication and minimizing data loss or transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the robotic work tool system implements anonymous data processing, then data privacy is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata privacyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the necessary operational data while maintaining user anonymity. By taking out only the essential information needed for path planning and task execution, and processing it centrally, the system protects user privacy while minimizing the complexity of anonymous data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4260153B1Improved operation for a robotic work tool
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP4260153B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4260153B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4260153B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a server (230), a user device (240) and one or more robotic work tools (100, 100-1, 100-2), the server comprising a controller (231), the controller (231) being configured to: define (510) an extent of a work area (205); define (520) features of the work area; receive at least one user requirement from the user device (240); define (540) requirements based on the extent of the work area, the features of the work area and the user requirement; select (550) one or more of the one or more robotic work tools (100) based on capabilities of the robotic work tools (100) by matching the requirements to the capabilities of the robotic work tools; generate (560) operating instructions for the selected robotic work tools (100); and to transmit (570) the operating instructions to the selected robotic work tools (100).