Worksite Machine Control Using Sensor Scout and Slave Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction and mining worksites, coordinating the activities of heavy-duty machines is challenging due to the complexity of operations and the difficulty of determining work surface contours and object locations, especially with autonomous or semi-autonomous machines, which can lead to damage and safety risks due to obstructed sensor fields of view and the rugged conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system where an autonomous mobile machine with sensors generates a worksite plan based on sensor information, providing instructions to a slave machine to perform tasks while monitoring its operations, thereby avoiding obstacles and improving efficiency without exposing delicate sensors to damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on autonomous machines to identify work surface contours and objects, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensors are prone to damage from obstructed fields of view and rugged worksite conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A separate mobile machine acts as an intermediary carrier for the sensors, positioned away from the autonomous heavy-duty machine. This intermediary mobile machine traverses the work surface and collects sensor data, which is then transmitted to the autonomous machine for processing. This resolves the contradiction by protecting delicate sensors from both obstructed fields of view and rugged worksite conditions while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on autonomous machines to monitor operations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile machine serving as sensor carrier is designed with multi-functionality, performing both the function of carrying sensors and the function of data transmission. The system integrates sensor data collection, wireless communication, and coordination management into a unified platform, reducing overall system complexity despite the added measurement capabilities.
3Productivity
If autonomous machines operate without accurate work surface information, then productivity is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to machine damage and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile machine with sensors performs preliminary traversal of the work surface ahead of the autonomous heavy-duty machine, collecting data about work surface contours, boundaries, and objects. This advance information is processed and used to generate guidance paths and safety zones, enabling the autonomous machine to operate continuously without damage while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving information indicative of a first worksite plan, determining a travel path extending along a work surface, causing a mobile machine to traverse the travel path, and receiving first sensor information associated with the work surface from a sensor of the mobile machine. The method also includes generating a second worksite plan based at least partly on the first sensor information, and providing instructions to a slave machine which, when executed by a controller of the slave machine, cause the controller of the slave machine to control the slave machine to perform at least part of the second worksite plan. The method further includes receiving second sensor information determined by the sensor of the mobile machine, and generating at least one of a safety metric and an accuracy metric based at least partly on the second sensor information.