Authors:
S. Neubert
1
;
T. Roddelkopf
2
;
X. Gu
2
;
B. Göde
1
;
S. Junginger
1
;
N. Stoll
1
and
K. Thurow
2
Affiliations:
1
University of Rostock, Germany
;
2
Center for Life Science Automation (celisca), Germany
Keyword(s):
Life Science Automation, Laboratory Execution System, Mobile Robot Integration, Dynamical Scheduling, Human Machine Interaction.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Human-Robots Interfaces
;
Industrial Automation and Robotics
;
Industrial Engineering
;
Industrial Networks and Automation
;
Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics
;
Network Robotics
;
Robotics and Automation
;
Vehicle Control Applications
Abstract:
Modern laboratories for life sciences often include several different integrated automation systems to
increase throughput and quality, to reduce efforts for human operators and to reduce the costs of processes.
Typically, the planning and monitoring of methods are prepared and executed directly on local computers of
the automation systems. Moreover, a manual replenishing of resources and a manual transfer of samples and
labware between interacting automation systems are required in order to ensure end-to-end operations in a
24/7 mode.
This work describes the architecture and the pilot solution of a hierarchical workflow management system
(HWMS), which integrates distributed automation systems by combined use of mobile robots and human
operators as transportation units. With a graphical process design tool a material flow-oriented diagram can
be created, which describes the correlations of distributed subsystems in a complex workflow. The HWMS
schedules the workflows and controls the
execution autonomously dependent on the planned process
diagrams. Two front-end components located on the process control layer simplify the integration and
support the control of the required subsystems. With smart device communications human operators can be
integrated in the workflow for transportation and assistance tasks as a necessary alternative to the robots.
(More)