Co-operative teams of service robots have been a research target for several years. Real-time task distribution and scheduling was identified to be one of the key challenges for these robot teams. This paper introduces the application of a team of service robots within hospital environments. Existing approaches for task distribution and scheduling, like central and distributed scheduling for the particular scenario, are introduced. Finally an adapted approach for the scenario is presented. The underlying task distribution problem however differs from known problems, since scheduling takes the power state and equipment of a robot into account required for each task
The European research project INT-MANUS embedded in the I*PROMS European network of excellence addresses the increasing demand for flexibility and adaptivity, which is summarised by rapid reconfiguration of complete factories, flexible reaction to new demands as well as related aspects in human computer interaction (HCI), software, and production systems. The project's main goal has been to develop a new technology for the production plants of the future: the Smart Connected Control Platform (SCCP). This platform allows controlling a factory with the help of an open distributed and learning agent platform that integrates machines, robots, and human personnel. It offers an enterprise service bus like concept for dynamic and decentrally controlled production systems, which flexibly connects machines and IT systems like robotic transport systems, terminals, mobile control systems, etc
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