Tele-operated Inventory Management System with Dynamic Operator Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern inventory systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization, leading to low throughput, long response times, and high costs due to the challenges of accommodating fluctuations in system throughput, particularly in managing diverse inventory requests.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hybrid inventory management system that utilizes robotic units capable of automated tasks, which can request manual operation from remote operators when necessary, optimizing task distribution and minimizing downtime by directing operators to only those units requiring immediate assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inventory system expands capacity to handle more tasks, then throughput increases, but infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operator assignment based on real-time robotic unit needs. Operators are not permanently assigned to specific robotic units but are dynamically reassigned to units that require manual intervention, allowing the system to flexibly handle varying throughput demands without permanent infrastructure expansions
Solution Approach 2:
Operators serve multiple robotic units across different workcells rather than being dedicated to a single unit. This universal assignment allows the same operator resource to support multiple robotic units, effectively increasing system capacity without adding proportional infrastructure
2Productivity
If more operators are assigned to robotic units, then task completion improves, but operator downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors robotic unit operational status and automatically generates requests for manual operation when units require assistance. This feedback mechanism ensures operators are notified only when needed, eliminating unnecessary downtime while maintaining rapid response to actual task requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Robotic units autonomously identify when they need manual intervention and self-generate requests for operator assistance. This self-service capability ensures that operator resources are deployed only when genuinely needed, minimizing idle time while maintaining high task completion rates
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system handles diverse inventory requests, then customer service improves, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments diverse inventory requests into standardized task types that can be handled by different robotic units with specialized configurations. By dividing complex diverse requests into manageable segments, the system maintains high adaptability while improving resource utilization through specialized robotic capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts operational parameters such as operator assignment, robotic unit selection, and task routing based on the specific characteristics of each inventory request. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to efficiently handle diverse requests by optimizing resource allocation for each task type
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an inventory management system, and corresponding methods, in which robotic units are configured to execute at least a portion of a set of instructions in an automated manner. During execution of the set of instructions, robotic units may encounter tasks that they are unable to complete in an automated manner. The robotic units, upon encountering these tasks, may submit a request for manual operation to a control unit. In some embodiments, the request may be assigned to an available operator, which may take over control of the robotic unit using a remote manipulation device, to complete the task manually. Once the task has been completed manually, automated execution of the instructions may be resumed.