Warehouse Robot Control for Shared Shelf Position Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In warehousing and logistics systems, robots interacting with users near temporary storage shelving units pose a safety risk due to the likelihood of physical contact, leading to potential injury and poor safety outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A robot control method and system that determines the storage position or shelving unit where a user is operating and controls the robot to avoid performing operations at the same location, using detection devices like pressure sensors, laser radar, or visual acquisition devices to ensure safe separation and efficient goods handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot performs operations near the temporary storage shelving unit to improve goods sorting efficiency, then the goods sorting efficiency is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to the likelihood of robot-user contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the shelving unit into multiple storage positions and uses detection devices to monitor each position independently. When a user is detected at a specific storage position, the robot is prevented from operating at that same position, creating segmented safe zones that allow goods sorting to continue at other positions while ensuring user safety
Solution Approach 2:
A control device acts as an intermediary between the detection devices and the robot. The control device receives detection information from sensors, processes it to determine user presence at storage positions, and sends control instructions to the robot to avoid conflicting operations, thereby mediating between safety requirements and operational efficiency
2Area of stationary object
If the robot operates at the same storage position as the user to maximize space utilization, then the space utilization is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to potential physical contact and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by using detection devices to detect user presence at storage positions before the robot initiates operations. When a user is detected, the control device prevents the robot from operating at that position in advance, thereby preventing potential physical contact and injury before they can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model of user presence and robot operations through detection information and control logic. By copying the physical state into digital information (detection signals) and processing it through the control device, the system can simulate and prevent harmful interactions without physical contact
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a robot control method, apparatus, and system, a control device, and a robot. The method includes: determining a storage position or a temporary storage shelving unit at which a user performs an operation; and controlling an operation of a robot according to the storage position or the temporary storage shelving unit at which the user performs the operation, so that the robot avoids performing an operation at the same storage position simultaneously with the user. According to the robot control method, apparatus, and system, the control device, and the robot provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, cases that a robot comes into contact with a user can be reduced, thereby reducing injury caused by a robot to a user to some extent, and effectively improving operation safety. In addition, goods sorting/selection efficiency can also be ensured.