Multi-Vehicle Task Allocation for Resilient Team Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle coordination systems are vulnerable to central controller failure and are ineffective in scenarios where the controller is remote from other team members, leading to loss of coordination and inability to achieve common goals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for vehicle coordination where a command vehicle allocates tasks to other vehicles based on their capabilities, allowing for decentralized task execution and adaptability in case of central controller failure or remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single entity has centralized control over the entire team, then coordination and decision-making efficiency are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to central controller failure and is ineffective when the controller is remote from other team members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed control nodes across multiple vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with processing capabilities to independently execute tasks and make decisions, transforming the monolithic centralized controller into segmented autonomous units that can operate independently or in coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of centralization based on operational needs and controller availability. When a centralized controller is present and nearby, it coordinates tasks efficiently; when remote or incapacitated, control dynamically shifts to distributed vehicles, allowing the system to adapt its control architecture to maintain reliability.
2Device complexity
If a centralized controller is used, then task allocation can be centralized and simplified, but the system cannot adequately direct team members when the controller is remote
Solution Approach 1:
Each vehicle is equipped with autonomous capabilities including onboard processors, capability profiles, and task execution systems. Vehicles can independently assess their own capabilities, receive and execute task allocations, and make local decisions without requiring constant remote direction, enabling them to serve themselves when the centralized controller is remote.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local intelligence and decision-making capabilities at each vehicle rather than requiring all control functions to be centralized. Each vehicle has tailored processing power and autonomy appropriate to its specific capabilities and mission role, allowing effective local operation regardless of centralized controller proximity.
3Productivity
If task allocation is based on vehicle capabilities, then goal achievement is optimized, but the system requires complex capability tracking and validation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes capability profiles for each vehicle before task allocation occurs. These profiles contain information about sensor suites, actuators, computational resources, and mission-specific capabilities. By having capabilities predetermined and documented, the system simplifies the task allocation process rather than requiring complex real-time capability assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles report their capability status, task completion status, and resource availability to the centralized controller. This continuous feedback loop enables dynamic task reallocation and optimization based on actual vehicle states, improving goal achievement while managing complexity through automated information exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for coordinating a plurality of vehicles (102, 104) comprising: defining, as a command vehicle (C), a vehicle in the plurality; storing, by one or more storage devices (204) located on one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), a list of capabilities of each vehicle (102, 104); receiving, by one or more processors (202) on the command vehicle (C), a specification of a goal; based on the stored vehicle capabilities, allocating, by the one or more processors (202), to one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), one or more tasks, the one or more tasks being such that, if each of those tasks was to be performed, the goal would be accomplished; and sending, from the command vehicle (C), to each vehicle (102, 104) to which a task has been allocated, a specification of the one or more tasks allocated to that vehicle (102, 104).