Patent ID: 11865726
Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 16:
17. A method comprising:
determining capability requirements to perform a task on a target object on one of a vehicle or stationary equipment;
determining a series of sub-tasks to perform the task, with the sub-tasks having one or more of the capability requirements;
assigning a first sequence of the sub-tasks to a first robotic machine for performance by the first robotic machine, the first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with the target object, and the first sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the first robotic machine based at least in part on the first set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the first sequence of the sub-tasks;
assigning a second sequence of the sub-tasks to a second robotic machine for performance by the second robotic machine, the second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object at least one of which is different than the first set of capabilities of the first robotic machine, and the second sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the second robotic machine based at least in part on the second set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the second sequence of the sub-tasks;
controlling the first robotic machine, according to the first sequence of sub-tasks assigned to the first robotic machine for performing the task on the target object, to travel along a length of the vehicle or stationary equipment to the target object and identify a location of the target object;
controlling the first robotic machine, according to the first sequence of sub-tasks, to communicate a signal to the second robotic machine, the signal including location information of the target object;
responsive to the second robotic machine receiving the signal, controlling the second robotic machine, according to the second sequence of sub-tasks assigned to the second robotic machine for performing the task on the target object, to approach the target object and manipulate the target object via a robotic arm of the second robotic machine,
the first and second robotic machines performing at least some of the first and second sequences of sub-tasks, respectively, while both the first and second robotic machines are proximate the target object, to accomplish the task.