Warehouse Robot Task Sequencing Based on Worker Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In warehouse settings, robots often wait for workers to assist with tasks, leading to reduced operational efficiency due to ineffective human-robot cooperation, as current technologies mainly focus on optimizing robot navigation paths without addressing the issue of worker availability at task locations.
Innovation Solution
A method where robots acquire tasks, plan optimal navigation paths, and determine worker availability at each location; if a worker is present, they send prompt information and wait for cooperation, while if not, they proceed to the next location, thereby minimizing waiting time and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robot waits in place for a worker to complete the task, then the task can be completed with human assistance, but the robot's operational efficiency is reduced due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically adjusts its behavior based on worker availability. When a worker is present, the robot waits for cooperation; when no worker is available, the robot dynamically changes its state from waiting to moving to the next location, optimizing the balance between task completion and operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from worker location detection to control robot behavior. The robot continuously monitors whether workers are present at current or next locations, and adjusts its actions accordingly - either waiting for cooperation or proceeding to the next task location based on real-time worker availability information
2Productivity
If the robot navigates to the next location when no worker is available, then operational efficiency is improved by avoiding waiting time, but task completion may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
Before the robot arrives at a task location, the system performs preliminary detection of worker availability at that location. This preliminary action allows the robot to plan its behavior in advance - either prepare to wait if workers are present or continue navigation if no workers are available, thereby avoiding unnecessary waiting and maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The robot's navigation and task execution process is made dynamic based on real-time worker availability. The system continuously evaluates whether to wait or proceed to the next location, adapting the task completion process to current worker distribution, thus balancing efficiency and reliability
3Quantity of substance
If multiple robots and workers coexist in the warehouse, then task capacity is increased, but coordination complexity increases leading to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Each robot independently determines whether to wait for workers or proceed to the next location based on its own detection of worker availability. This self-service approach allows multiple robots to autonomously coordinate their actions with workers without requiring complex centralized control, thereby maintaining coordination efficiency as the number of robots increases
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses distributed feedback mechanisms where each robot independently monitors worker locations and adjusts its behavior accordingly. This feedback-driven autonomous coordination allows multiple robots to efficiently interact with workers without creating system-wide coordination bottlenecks
Data Source
AI summary
A method for shortening a waiting time for human-robot interaction, a device and a storage medium are provided. A robot acquires a to-be-executed task, plans an optimal navigation path according to a task location of the to-be-executed task, and goes to a first location according to the planned optimal navigation path to execute a task corresponding to the first location. The robot determines whether there is a worker, capable of performing human-robot cooperation, at the first location. In a case where there is a worker, capable of performing human-robot cooperation, at the first location, the robot sends prompt information and waits, at the first location, for the worker to cooperatively complete the task corresponding to the first location. In a case where there is no worker, capable of performing human-robot cooperation, at the first location, the robot goes to a next location according to the optimal navigation path.