Virtual Collision Detection for Distributed Autonomous Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous, distributed production systems, there is a risk of collisions between autonomous components and human workers, which existing technologies fail to adequately prevent due to the complexity of real-time interaction and communication delays between virtual and physical environments.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a virtual image of the autonomous system is created to simulate the movement of components and objects, generating a safety volume around potential hazards, such as humans, to predict and prevent collisions by transmitting feedback data to the real components, allowing them to adjust their movements accordingly, and accounting for communication and processing delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a virtual image is used to simulate movements and predict collisions, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but communication and processing delays reduce the effectiveness of real-time collision avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary collision detection by simulating future movements in the virtual image before actual movements occur. The safety corpus is generated in advance based on predicted trajectories, allowing the autonomous component to plan collision-free paths before executing movements in the real environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual copy (digital twin) of the autonomous system is maintained that mirrors the real system's state and environment. This virtual copy allows for rapid simulation and collision detection without affecting real-time operations, effectively decoupling the computational burden from the physical system's response time.
2Reliability
If safety corpora are generated around objects to define forbidden volumes, then collision prevention is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of generating safety corpora around all objects uniformly, the system focuses computational resources on generating corpora around critical objects that pose collision risks. The virtual image identifies and prioritizes objects requiring safety zones based on their movement patterns and potential hazard levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates safety corpora selectively for only those objects and time periods where collision risk exists, rather than continuously maintaining corpora around all objects. This partial action approach reduces computational load while maintaining adequate safety coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for detecting an imminent collision between an object and a component of an autonomous system in the real environment including at least one real, decentralized autonomous component, whereby of at least a part of the autonomous system a virtual image is available, emulating at least one aspect of the autonomous system.