Work Assist System Using Sensor-Based Tool Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Workers in assembly tasks face inefficiencies due to the need to frequently fetch parts and tools from storage sites, leading to time loss and decreased productivity.
Innovation Solution
A work assisting system that includes a sensor unit to detect a worker's body part positions and orientations, a machine learning unit to determine the work status, and a supply unit to provide tools or parts based on the determined status, using a collaborative robot to efficiently deliver items to the worker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers manually fetch parts and tools from storage sites, then they can obtain necessary items for assembly work, but time is lost and work efficiency is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using sensors to automatically detect worker position and orientation, determining work status, and having the supply unit autonomously deliver parts and tools to the worker without manual fetching
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of workers fetching parts is replaced by an automated system combining sensors, machine learning units, and supply units that mechanically deliver items to workers based on detected work status
2Adaptability or versatility
If statistical processing of worker position is used to estimate work situation, then parts and tools can be supplied according to work situation, but the system lacks flexibility for varying work methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from simple statistical position processing to comprehensive parameter analysis including position, orientation, and temporal patterns of worker body parts to accurately determine work status and improve adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The machine learning unit performs preliminary learning of work status patterns from detected position and orientation data, constructing models in advance that enable flexible adaptation to various work methods without increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A work assisting system includes a sensor unit that detects a position and an orientation of at least one body part of a worker; a supply unit that supplies a part or a tool to the worker; and a cell controller that controls the supply unit, the cell controller including a machine learning unit that constructs a model by learning a work status of the worker on the basis of the detected position and orientation, and a work status determining unit that determines the work status of the worker by using the constructed model. The supply unit selects the part or tool on the basis of the determined work status and changes the position and orientation of the part or tool on the basis of the position and orientation of the at least one body part.