Self-Assembling Robots for Autonomous Disaster Mitigation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current disaster response methods put first responders at risk due to the need for human intervention in dangerous environments, as existing robots require substantial human effort to operate correctly and cannot autonomously mitigate disasters effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for creating assembly plans for self-assembling robots that can autonomously respond to disaster scenarios by analyzing configuration parameters and sending instructions to self-assembling robots, allowing them to assemble and operate independently in hazardous conditions, such as creating fire breaks or emergency shelters, without human proximity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional disaster response methods are used with human intervention, then disaster mitigation tasks can be performed, but first responders are put at risk in dangerous environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of first respondersVSAvoidhuman intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-assembling robots to autonomously perform disaster mitigation tasks without human intervention. The computer processors automatically identify triggering events, analyze configuration parameters, create assembly plans, and send instructions to robots, which then self-assemble and execute mitigation tasks independently in dangerous environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The disaster response system is divided into independent functional modules: event identification module, parameter analysis module, assembly plan creation module, and robot control module. This segmentation allows each component to operate autonomously and contributes to the overall automation while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If existing robots are used for disaster response, then some automation is achieved, but substantial human effort is still required to operate them correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot operation automationVSAvoidhuman effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-assembling robots to autonomously perform disaster mitigation tasks without human intervention. The computer processors automatically identify triggering events, analyze configuration parameters, create assembly plans, and send instructions to robots, which then self-assemble and execute mitigation tasks independently in dangerous environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Assembly plans are created and configuration parameters are analyzed in advance before disaster events occur. The system pre-processes potential mission parameters and stores assembly instructions, so that when a triggering event is detected, the robots can immediately execute pre-prepared plans without requiring real-time human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If self-assembling robots are deployed for disaster mitigation, then human safety is improved and manpower is reduced, but complex assembly plans and coordination are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisaster response effectivenessVSAvoidassembly plan complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disaster response system is divided into independent functional modules: event identification module, parameter analysis module, assembly plan creation module, and robot control module. This segmentation allows each component to operate autonomously and contributes to the overall automation while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The computer processors act as an intermediary between the triggering event detection and the self-assembling robots. The processors automatically translate event parameters into assembly plans and instructions, mediating the complex coordination between multiple robots without requiring direct human intervention in the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10265844B2Creating assembly plans based on triggering events

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

In an approach to creating assembly plan for disaster mitigation, one or more computer processors identify one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors receive one or more configuration parameters for one or more assembly plans pertaining to the one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors analyze the one or more configuration parameters to determine necessary configuration parameters based upon the identified one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors create the one or more assembly plans containing one or more instructions for one or more self-assembling robots based on the determined necessary configuration parameters. The one or more computer processors send the one or more assembly plans to one or more self-assembling robots.