Telepresence Robot Handover Control for Uninterrupted Remote Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for remote observation of exhibition halls using telepresence robots lack efficient methods for seamlessly switching between multiple robots based on their operational status, leading to potential disruptions and inefficiencies in user experience.
Innovation Solution
A communication control server that receives status information from mobile apparatuses and switches the communication destination of a communication terminal from one mobile apparatus to another based on predetermined status conditions, ensuring smooth transitions and optimized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single robot is assigned to a user for remote operation, then the user can maintain a stable communication connection, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot adapt to robot status changes such as battery depletion or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the communication destination from a fixed single-robot model to a flexible multi-robot model based on real-time status information. The communication control server monitors robot status (battery level, malfunction state, congestion) and automatically changes which robot communicates with the user terminal, making the system adaptable to changing conditions while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the communication control server receives status information from robots (battery level, malfunction status, congestion level) and uses this feedback to determine when to switch communication destinations. This closed-loop control ensures the system adapts to robot status changes while maintaining reliable communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system switches robots based on status information, then adaptability and continuous operation are improved, but the communication control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication control server acts as an intermediary between user terminals and multiple robots. It centralizes the complexity of monitoring robot status and managing switches, shielding user terminals from complexity while enabling adaptive robot switching based on status information from the intermediary server.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter-based switching where the communication destination is changed based on specific status parameters (battery level threshold, malfunction state, congestion level). This parameter-driven approach simplifies control logic compared to complex decision-making, as switches occur automatically when predefined parameter thresholds are met.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If robot status monitoring and switching mechanisms are implemented, then operational continuity is improved, but the system requires more information processing and communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential status parameters needed for switching decisions (battery level, malfunction state, congestion level) from complete robot status data. This selective information extraction reduces communication overhead and processing requirements while maintaining operational continuity through targeted monitoring of critical parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control server includes circuitry to receive, from a first mobile apparatus, status information indicating a status of the first mobile apparatus currently communicating with a communication terminal as a communication destination of the communication terminal. The first mobile apparatus is movable in a real space and remotely operable by the communication terminal. The circuitry switches the communication destination of the communication terminal from the first mobile apparatus to a second mobile apparatus based on the status information. The second mobile apparatus is movable in the real space and remotely operable by the communication terminal.